Tomato Prices Could Drop Sharply in Coming Weeks — Dumelo

Ghanaian consumers could see some relief from the recent surge in tomato prices in the coming weeks as farmers begin harvesting their produce, Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture John Setor Dumelo has said.

In a post on Monday, September 7, 2026, Dumelo said increased supply from local farmers should help push tomato prices down after months of significant price pressure.

“The prices of tomatoes should see a sharp decline these coming weeks as Ghanaian farmers have started harvesting,” he said.

The development comes just days after fresh tomatoes emerged as the single biggest contributor to Ghana’s August inflation.

According to Ghana Statistical Service data reported by the Ghana News Agency, fresh tomato prices increased by 158.3% year-on-year in August, contributing 23.1% of the overall 5.0% inflation rate.

Government prepares for dry-season tomato production

Beyond the immediate expected fall in prices, the government is preparing for a larger intervention aimed at increasing tomato production during the dry season.

Dumelo said preparations are underway for large-scale dry-season tomato farming from December 2026 to June 2027.

According to him, land preparation has already begun, particularly in northern Ghana, with nursing and transplanting of tomato seedlings expected to start in October.

The government is also providing irrigation support, including solar-powered boreholes and other irrigation inputs, to enable farmers to produce tomatoes during periods when rainfall is limited.

The initiative is intended to increase domestic supply and reduce the seasonal shortages that often contribute to sharp price increases.

Why the announcement matters

Tomatoes are an important part of the Ghanaian diet, making their price movements particularly significant for households, restaurants, chop bars and food vendors.

The recent price surge has demonstrated how quickly a shortage of a single major food commodity can affect consumers.

Channel One's August Market Price Barometer reported that traders were experiencing serious supply constraints, with some traders attributing the shortage to reduced rainfall in major growing areas.

One trader cited by the platform said a basket that previously sold for about GH¢200 was selling for as much as GH¢700, while a paint rubber of tomatoes had risen from around GH¢50 to GH¢150.

The expected increase in harvests could therefore provide some relief if sufficient quantities reach markets across the country.

Northern Ghana becomes increasingly important

The government's dry-season strategy has particular significance for northern Ghana, where agriculture is heavily dependent on access to water and irrigation during the dry season.

The latest announcement indicates that land clearing is already underway in parts of the north, with seedling nursing and transplanting expected to begin in October.

Earlier this year, the government also announced work on 250 boreholes across Ghana's five northern regions to expand irrigation for vegetable farming, particularly tomatoes.

For the Savannah Region and other northern communities, sustained investment in irrigation could create opportunities beyond simply reducing tomato prices.

It could support year-round farming, create jobs, improve farmer incomes and strengthen local food supply chains.

Ghana still faces a major tomato supply gap

The immediate price relief expected from the new harvest does not remove Ghana's longer-term production challenge.

Research scientists at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research recently estimated that Ghana's annual demand for fresh and processed tomatoes exceeds 1.4 million metric tonnes, while local production meets only about 15% to 18% of that requirement.

The researchers said Ghana imports more than US$230 million worth of tomatoes annually when fresh and processed tomato imports are combined.

They also identified limited irrigation, poor access to quality seed, pests and diseases, soil problems, weak extension services and low productivity as some of the major constraints facing the sector.

This suggests that solving Ghana's tomato problem will require more than waiting for seasonal harvests.

Will consumers actually see cheaper tomatoes?

That is now the key question.

If the current harvest significantly increases market supply, tomato prices could fall in the short term as Dumelo expects.

However, the size and duration of any price reduction will depend on several factors, including the volume harvested, transportation costs, post-harvest losses, demand and the availability of tomatoes from competing sources.

The government's planned dry-season programme could become more important in the longer term because it seeks to reduce the seasonal supply gaps that repeatedly cause price spikes.

A potential opportunity for Savannah farmers

For communities across the Savannah Region, the development could present an important agricultural opportunity.

Access to reliable irrigation, improved tomato varieties, extension services and markets could allow farmers to produce beyond the traditional rainy-season cycle.

It could also help transform tomato farming from a largely seasonal activity into a more consistent commercial enterprise.

The challenge will be ensuring that farmers have not only access to water, but also affordable inputs, quality seeds, technical support, storage, transportation and reliable markets.

From price crisis to production opportunity

Ghana's tomato crisis has exposed a wider issue in the country's agricultural economy.

The recent 158.3% increase in tomato prices showed the vulnerability created by inadequate domestic supply.

The government's new dry-season farming plans offer an opportunity to address that vulnerability at its source.

If the planned irrigation and production interventions are implemented effectively, Ghana could gradually reduce seasonal shortages, improve farmer incomes and provide consumers with more stable tomato prices.

For now, consumers will be watching the markets closely to see whether the expected increase in harvests translates into cheaper tomatoes in the coming weeks.

Gonja Pulse will continue tracking tomato prices, agricultural production and the impact of the government's dry-season farming programme across northern Ghana and the Savannah Region.