• Nigerian onion traders halt shipments citing harassment and truck seizures in Ghana

• Ghana relies heavily on imports, with onions covering about 70% of demand

• Disruption risks supply shortages and higher prices in Ghana

Nigeria has temporarily suspended onion exports to Ghana after traders reported harassment and the seizure of shipments in Accra, disrupting a key regional trade flow.

The National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPM) said the suspension has been in effect since April 5. The decision follows rising tensions, including allegations of intimidation and the confiscation of trucks carrying Nigerian onions at the Kotoku market in Accra.

“Our members have faced sustained harassment, intimidation and interference in their legitimate trading activities […] the seizure of trucks is a serious violation of established trade norms […] This latest action has disrupted normal commercial activities and created a hostile environment for Nigerian traders operating in Ghana,” the association said in a statement cited by local media.

NOPPM said exports will resume only once a safe and fair trading environment is restored, aiming to prevent further losses for Nigerian exporters.

A key intra-regional trade link under strain

The dispute affects a strategic segment of agricultural trade in West Africa. Nigeria is the region’s second-largest onion producer after Niger and supplies several neighboring markets. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Nigeria produced about 1.91 million tons of onions, both fresh and dried, in 2024.

Ghana, by contrast, is a modest producer and depends heavily on imports to meet domestic demand. Estimates from the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) show that the country imports about 70% of its onion needs, at a weekly cost of around $2 million. Key suppliers include Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria.

The exact share of Nigerian onions in Ghana’s imports is difficult to determine, as much of the trade occurs through informal cross-border channels.

A prolonged disruption could strain supply chains in Ghana, push prices higher, and potentially lead to shortages over time. For Nigerian exporters, the suspension cuts off an important outlet for surplus production.

Beyond the immediate impact, the episode highlights persistent weaknesses in intra-regional trade within ECOWAS, despite its principle of free movement of goods. The difficulties reported by Nigerian traders point to ongoing challenges in enforcing regional trade rules, particularly in informal markets and urban trading hubs.

Stéphanas Assocle