Tomato Prices Jump 35.8% Fueled by Supply Shocks

Fresh tomato prices in Ghana climbed by 35.8% in May 2026. This increase was a major cause of rising food costs for the month. The sharp jump followed disruptions in the supply of tomatoes. This affected many households across the country.

Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, the Government Statistician, announced these figures on June 3, 2026. He noted that tomato prices rose by an even higher 38.8% from April to May 2026. This rapid increase shows how sensitive food prices can be to external events. Tomatoes are a vital part of Ghanaian cooking and diets.

The problems began earlier in the year. In February 2026, Ghanaian traders faced an attack in Burkina Faso. This led Burkina Faso to impose an export ban on tomatoes in March. Although the ban was lifted on April 2, 2026, the damage was done. Supply chains were broken. This caused scarcity and drove up prices locally. Food inflation increased to 3.3% in May, up from 2.2% in April. Tomato prices alone showed a year-on-year inflation rate of only 2.6% in April before the sharp rise.

Dr. Iddrisu highlighted how external shocks quickly affect domestic markets. The price changes for tomatoes show this clearly. These changes directly impact what families can afford to buy. The government monitors these trends to understand economic pressures.

This situation shows the challenges of relying on cross-border trade for essential goods. For policymakers, it highlights the need for stable trade relations and secure routes for commerce. Consumers will likely continue to feel the pinch of higher food prices. Further price movements will depend on how quickly supply chains recover. The government's response to ensuring trader safety is also critical for future stability.