Tomato prices to drop sharply in coming weeks – John Dumelo
Tomato prices are expected to fall significantly in the coming weeks as local farmers begin harvesting their crops, Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture John Dumelo has said.
Tomato prices are set to plummet in the coming weeks as Ghanaian farmers begin their harvest, according to Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture John Dumelo. The influx of locally grown tomatoes will alleviate strain on the domestic market and bolster availability nationwide. The government is also gearing up for extensive dry-season tomato farming from December 2026 to June 2027 to tackle anticipated supply gaps.
Preparations include clearing farmlands in northern Ghana, initiating seedling nursing and transplanting in October, and providing farmers with solar-powered boreholes and irrigation support. Dumelo highlighted that the government's move aims to stabilize tomato prices year-round by bridging seasonal supply shortages. The recent price surge, the highest among monitored food items in August 2026, is attributed to reduced rainfall in key tomato-growing regions, causing supply constraints.
Traders report a sharp price hike for tomatoes, with a typical basket costing as much as GH¢700, up from GH¢200 last year. Despite expectations of price relief as the current harvest arrives, traders remain wary of potential low rainfall's impact on overall production and supply.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
