Customers and vendors in the Denu and Agbozume markets of the Ketu South Municipality have reported considerable rises in tomato prices as a result of the recent terrorist attack on tomato vendors in Burkina Faso.
Following news of the tragic attack that disrupted supply channels and trading activity, prices for tomatoes, which are mostly imported into Ghana from Burkina Faso during specific seasons, have increased.
According to a market survey conducted in Denu and Agbozume, a basket of tomatoes that was previously sold for GHS30 is now selling for GHS50, while smaller baskets that were previously sold for GHS20 are now selling between GHS30 and GHS35.
Transportation difficulties and shortages of supply were blamed by tomato vendors for the price increase.
Since the event, the flow of tomatoes from Burkina Faso has slowed considerably, according to some dealers, causing scarcity in the system.
Some dealers claim that the shortage has forced them to find supply from adjacent Togo at comparatively higher costs, making the commodity not only pricey but also difficult to get.
The rising cost of the item caused buyers to express anxiety, characterising the situation as concerning.
They said that household food budgets were impacted when tomato prices started to rise soon after the devastating event in Burkina Faso became public.
According to a buyer, she has turned to handling the problem for the time being.
“I just have to manage for the time being and hope things get back to normal,” she said.
Some customers expressed sympathy for the families who lost loved ones in the attack, calling the situation regrettable and disastrous for local commerce.
In addition to the municipality’s marketplaces, traders in other significant markets around the nation have expressed similar worries and issued warnings about potential future hikes should supply channels continue to be unreliable.
Traders advocate for increased regional trade cooperation and local production to reduce imports during crisis situations.
Consumers have also encouraged the government to work with its Burkinabe colleagues to secure justice and restore safe trade conditions to avoid long-term interruptions in the tomato supply chain.
Source: newsthemegh.com