Burkina Faso has temporarily halted exports of fresh tomatoes to secure raw materials for domestic processing plants, authorities announced on March 16. The move is part of a broader industrial strategy to expand local production and reduce reliance on imported tomato products.
The decision, jointly issued by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Ministry of Agriculture, suspends the issuance of Special Export Authorizations (ASE) for fresh tomatoes. Existing operators with valid permits have a two-week window to complete shipments.
Boosting local processing capacity
Burkina Faso has invested heavily in its domestic tomato industry in recent years. In December 2024, President Ibrahim Traoré inaugurated the Faso Tomates Company (SOFATO) in Pognongo. The facility, backed by CFA5.6 billion (US$9.8 million), processes five tonnes of tomatoes per hour and produces derivatives including tomato paste.
Earlier, in November 2024, the Burkina Faso Tomato Company (SOBTO) plant began operations in Dogona with CFA7.5 billion ($13.1 million) in funding from the Agency for the Promotion of Community Entrepreneurship (APEC). The plant handles six tonnes per hour, producing 800 kg of tomato concentrate per hour under the “A’diaa” brand. APEC has also initiated construction of a third processing facility in Tenkodogo, which has reached more than 70% completion as of March 2026.
Authorities say the export suspension ensures that local processors have sufficient tomato supply, reinforcing the country’s industrialization objectives and reducing dependence on imported products. Between 2020 and 2024, Burkina Faso imported an average of 15,441 tonnes of tomato paste per year, with imports peaking at 26,451 tonnes in 2024, costing roughly $5.4 million annually.
Limited immediate regional impact
While Burkina Faso has traditionally exported most fresh tomatoes to Ghana, trade has already been disrupted. Ghana suspended tomato imports from Burkina Faso on February 17 following a terrorist attack in Titao that threatened local traders. Before the suspension, the countries maintained significant trade flows, although the Sahel and West Africa Club notes that official data significantly underreport the actual volumes. Industry estimates suggest trade could reach nearly 100,000 tonnes, compared with 1,700 tonnes officially recorded in 2022.
More Read
Traders across the region are expected to monitor the situation closely, especially as Ghana maintains only a temporary suspension. Authorities emphasize that the export halt is aimed at long-term industrial development rather than short-term market manipulation.
Strategic implications
The move aligns with Burkina Faso’s broader plan to develop domestic value chains in the tomato sector, strengthen local agro-industry, and reduce reliance on imported tomato products. By prioritizing raw materials for domestic processing, the government aims to create jobs, attract investment, and boost production of tomato paste and derivatives for local and regional markets.
This export suspension highlights Burkina Faso’s proactive approach to industrialization in agribusiness, reflecting a policy shift toward value addition and self-sufficiency in staple food processing.
