Tomato traders at the Agbogbloshie Market in Accra are urging the government to establish cold storage facilities near the market to preserve surplus produce, minimise waste and protect traders from financial losses.
The traders believe the facilities would allow them to store tomatoes for extended periods, particularly during peak harvest seasons when supplies exceed market demand.
They say proper storage systems would help prevent large quantities of tomatoes from going bad, reduce post-harvest losses and ensure a more consistent supply of the commodity throughout the year.
The traders have expressed optimism that tomato supplies will remain stable through December 2026, attributing their expectations to an anticipated increase in production from local farms.
They disclosed that the price of tomatoes has fallen to approximately GH¢700 per box, representing a decline compared with prices recorded in recent periods, including the same period last year.
According to the traders, increased domestic production could help stabilise prices, improve availability and make tomatoes more accessible to consumers.
They also expressed hope that government initiatives aimed at boosting local tomato production would deliver the expected results and reduce Ghana’s reliance on imported tomatoes.
The traders particularly want local production to increase enough to meet domestic demand, eliminating the need to travel to Burkina Faso to purchase tomatoes around November, as they have done in previous years.
However, they stressed that increasing production alone would not be sufficient without effective systems to preserve harvested tomatoes and manage excess supply.
They are therefore calling on the government to complement its agricultural interventions with investments in cold storage facilities and other post-harvest management infrastructure.
The traders believe such measures would help reduce waste, protect their investments, promote price stability and ensure a reliable supply of tomatoes for consumers throughout the year.
By: Prince Martey-Sogar.