Ghana targets 400,000 tonnes of tomato output under PPP to cut deficit
Ghana currently faces an annual production deficit of approximately 300,000 tonnes.
GHANA – 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, targeting an annual output of 400,000 tonnes of fresh tomatoes.
The project will develop nearly 16,200 hectares across the country, with processing units capable of handling 20 tonnes per hour, enabling an estimated annual production of 200,000 tonnes of tomato paste.
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, but officials expect the initiative to help Ghana achieve tomato self-sufficiency.
Ghana currently faces an annual production deficit of approximately 300,000 tonnes. Official data from the Food and Agriculture Organization show that annual output averaged 380,510 tonnes between 2020 and 2024, never exceeding 400,000 tonnes.
The new project’s target of 400,000 tonnes of fresh tomatoes would effectively double current production if achieved.
The new processing units directly address Ghana’s post-harvest losses, one of the sector’s most persistent challenges. Currently, farmers experience significant spoilage due to inadequate storage and processing infrastructure.
Additionally, with 200,000 tonnes of annual paste production capacity, the project provides a reliable off-taker for farmers, easing the pressure to sell fresh tomatoes immediately after harvest. Processing extends shelf life from days to months, enabling strategic market timing and reducing waste.
On the other hand, structural challenges have long constrained Ghana’s tomato sector, leaving farmers with low yields, heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture, and high input costs.
Therefore, the PPP model brings private-sector operational expertise to overcome these hurdles by introducing irrigation systems, improved seed varieties, and organized farmer training programmes.
The project aims to eliminate a chronic supply deficit and reduce reliance on imports, particularly tomato paste from Europe and Asia. By establishing high-capacity processing units and logistics hubs, the initiative aims to stabilize the domestic food supply chain and modernize industrial processing.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the total investment cost or the project timeline, but the strategic move presents a significant opportunity for regional investors interested in the expanding African agribusiness sector.
As Ghana moves towards self-sufficiency, neighbouring countries may look to similar PPP models to address their own agricultural supply gaps.
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