Agbogbloshie tomato traders urge government to build cold storage facilities

Tomato vendors at the Agbogbloshie Market in Accra have pleaded with the government to build cold storage facilities close to the market to preserve surplus produce and cut down waste. They argue that cold rooms would allow them to store tomatoes for longer during peak production times, prevent loss of business due to excess supply, and protect their livelihoods.

Speaking to Adom News, the traders expressed confidence that tomato supplies would remain stable through December 2026, based on expectations of higher local farm yields. They noted that tomato prices have fallen to around GH¢700 per box, down from recent levels and the same period last year. The traders anticipate that higher local production could help stabilize prices and guarantee a consistent supply of tomatoes at the market.

They also expressed confidence that the government's initiative to boost domestic tomato production would prove successful and lessen Ghana's reliance on imported tomatoes. The traders specifically hope that a stable local supply would satisfy market demand, eliminating the need to travel to Burkina Faso to buy tomatoes around November, as they have done in the past.

They are urging the government to pair its efforts to increase local production with investments in cold storage facilities and other post-harvest management systems. The traders believe such measures would preserve excess produce, stabilize supply, reduce financial losses, and ensure tomatoes remain accessible to consumers year-round.