Here's how much Ghana's tomato industry inefficiencies are costing the economy

The Chamber of Agribusiness (CAG) has disclosed that Ghana loses approximately GH¢5.7 billion annually due to inefficiencies and import dependence in its tomato sector.

According to the Chamber, these losses, equivalent to about 1.2% of GDP, stem from heavy reliance on imported fresh tomatoes and tomato paste, high post-harvest losses, weak value-addition infrastructure, and foregone employment opportunities.

Unveiling a National Tomato Production Strategy (2026–2030) in Accra, CAG stated that Ghana spends between GH¢650 million and GH¢760 million annually on tomato imports, while losing up to GH¢250 million worth of locally produced tomatoes each year due to inadequate storage and logistics systems.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Anthony Morrison, described the figures as “devastating,” noting that the country is not only losing foreign exchange but also sacrificing large-scale employment and exposing traders to security risks through cross-border sourcing routes.

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“We’re not just losing money; we’re losing an entire generation’s employment opportunities. The recent security incident involving Ghanaian tomato traders is a wake-up call,” he said.

The proposed strategy, which requires an estimated GH¢3.2 billion investment over five years, aims to create about 200,000 jobs, particularly for the youth, across farming, processing, cold-chain management, logistics, and agribusiness entrepreneurship.

The Chamber said it will present the strategy to government for endorsement, establish a national steering committee, and begin construction of initial cold storage facilities in the second quarter of 2026, while also providing emergency support to families affected by recent cross-border trading incidents.

SP/MA

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