• Ghana targets annual production of 400,000 tonnes of fresh tomatoes under a new public-private partnership.

• The project includes 16,200 hectares of cultivation and processing capacity of 200,000 tonnes of tomato paste per year.

• Authorities aim to reduce a 300,000-tonne annual supply deficit and achieve self-sufficiency.

Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture has signed a public-private partnership agreement with FarmMate Limited to implement a large-scale tomato production and processing project.

Local media reported on April 16 that the project will develop nearly 16,200 hectares across the country, with a target output of 400,000 tonnes of fresh tomatoes annually.

The project will also include the installation of processing units with a capacity of 20 tonnes per hour, enabling annual production of an estimated 200,000 tonnes of tomato paste. Developers will complement these facilities with packaging centers, pre-processing units, and logistics platforms in key agricultural zones.

Eric Opoku, Minister of Food and Agriculture, said the state will provide a supportive policy and institutional framework, while the private partner will oversee operational execution, large-scale production, and value chain organization.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the total investment cost or the project timeline. However, officials expect the initiative to help Ghana achieve tomato self-sufficiency. Official data show that the country currently faces an annual production deficit of about 300,000 tonnes.

Ghana’s tomato production has stagnated in recent years. Estimates from the Food and Agriculture Organization show that annual output averaged 380,510 tonnes between 2020 and 2024, without exceeding the 400,000-tonne threshold.

Structural challenges continue to constrain the sector. Farmers face low yields, heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture, and high input costs. In addition, the industry remains vulnerable to post-harvest losses due to insufficient storage and processing infrastructure.

This article was initially published in French by Stéphanas Assocle

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum