Tomato prices in Ghana are expected to fall sharply in the coming weeks as local farmers begin harvesting their crops, Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture John Dumelo has announced.

According to Mr Dumelo, the increased supply from the ongoing harvest is expected to ease pressure on the domestic tomato market and improve availability for consumers across the country.

The announcement comes at a time when consumers have been facing pressure from high food prices, with tomatoes among the agricultural commodities whose prices can fluctuate significantly depending on seasonal supply.

Local harvest expected to ease tomato prices

Mr Dumelo said the current harvest by Ghanaian farmers should result in increased supplies of tomatoes on the market.

In a post on Monday, September 7, he stated that the expected increase in local production would lead to a significant reduction in tomato prices in the coming weeks.

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

The Deputy Minister’s comments suggest that the current price pressures are being influenced, at least partly, by limited market supply and seasonal production patterns.

As more farmers bring their produce to market, the increased volumes could help narrow the gap between demand and supply and provide some relief to consumers.

Government plans large-scale dry-season tomato farming

Beyond the immediate harvest, the government is also preparing to increase tomato production during the dry season.

Mr Dumelo said preparations were underway for a large-scale dry-season tomato farming programme from December 2026 to June 2027.

He explained that land preparation had already begun in parts of northern Ghana, with seedling nursing and transplanting expected to start in October.

The initiative is intended to increase the availability of locally produced tomatoes during periods when rainfall-dependent farming may not provide sufficient supplies.

Solar-powered irrigation support for farmers

To support dry-season cultivation, the government has also provided farmers with solar-powered boreholes and irrigation inputs, according to Mr Dumelo.

The irrigation support is expected to enable farmers to continue tomato production beyond the main rainy-season harvest and contribute to a more consistent supply throughout the year.

The focus on northern Ghana is particularly significant because the region has considerable agricultural potential and is already being targeted for preparations for the next dry-season production cycle.

Mr Dumelo said the government expects the planned programme to help augment anticipated supply shortfalls in the following year.

What the development could mean for consumers

If the ongoing harvest significantly increases market supply as anticipated, consumers could begin to see a reduction in tomato prices in the coming weeks.

However, the extent and speed of any price reduction will depend on the volume of tomatoes entering markets, transportation costs, post-harvest losses and overall demand.

The government’s longer-term dry-season production plans are aimed at addressing the recurring challenge of seasonal supply fluctuations and improving the availability of tomatoes on the domestic market.

For consumers, increased local production could help reduce reliance on irregular supplies and provide greater stability in tomato prices.

Government seeks more year-round tomato production

The latest intervention forms part of broader efforts to strengthen domestic agricultural production and improve food supply.

By combining the ongoing harvest with irrigation-supported dry-season farming, the government hopes to increase the availability of tomatoes beyond the traditional farming season.

If successfully implemented, the December 2026 to June 2027 programme could provide additional supplies during periods when production is normally constrained, potentially helping to moderate price pressures.

For now, consumers will be watching the markets closely as farmers begin bringing more tomatoes from the current harvest to market.