Amidst the aftermath of the coup in Niger, onion traders in Ghana are grappling with potential losses due to supply tracks becoming immobilized at the borders of Burkina Faso and Benin.
A substantial quantity of onions, valued at over GHs200 million finds itself trapped at the borders of Burkina Faso and Benin, a direct consequence of the closure of land borders.
This predicament has triggered concerns regarding potential shortages and subsequent price surges.
The delay in the transit of more than 75 supply tracks has stirred apprehension among onion importers.
These merchants fear that they may not manage to recoup their initial investments made in procuring the goods.
One trader bemoaned the situation, saying, “It’s been almost a week now, and all the onions have perished in the vehicles. By the time they arrive here, we won’t have any salvageable onions left.”
The once-thriving Agyen Kotoko onion market now stands with empty storage facilities.
“We have over 75 cars standing on the border and it has affected our business. Since you can see the market, it is empty simply because of the coup”, another trader added.
The Peasant Farmers Association is calling on government to take advantage of the situation to shore up local production of onions to avert such a crisis in the future.
“For we, the farmers, we think this is a golden opportunity, my only appeal to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture is that, they should try to support us with the seeds, with the water supply system and with the knowledge. Once we do that, we will be able to increase our current yields of 10 metric tons to 35 metric tons that Nigeriens are doing because our lands are more fertile than those lands,” the Association’s President, Charles Nyaaba said.
