• Nationwide ban on potato imports announced, effective through June 30, 2025

• Imports dropped 43.7% between 2020 and 2023, cutting costs by 41.2%

• Government warns of sanctions for non-compliance with the new measure

Burkina Faso has temporarily suspended all potato imports until June 30, 2025, according to a government statement issued on June 2. The announcement, made jointly by the Ministers of Agriculture and Commerce, calls on traders and technical services to comply with the directive. Sanctions will apply in cases of non-compliance. No official reason was provided for the decision.

According to the National Institute of Statistics and Demography (INSD), Burkina Faso’s potato imports fell by 43.7% from 2020 to 2023, declining from 15,162 tons to 8,528 tons. Over the same period, import costs dropped by 41.2%, from CFA891.7 million ($1.55 million) to CFA547 million ($951,000).

The announcement comes amid broader efforts to reduce import dependency and could reflect an attempt to protect or stimulate local production.