Nigerian Onion Exporters Face Heavy Losses as Ghana Detains Trucks

News in Brief:

— An agricultural trade monitoring group has urged Ghana to release Nigerian onion trucks detained in Accra to avoid disrupting regional trade and causing significant losses.

— It cautioned that the continued detention contravenes ECOWAS and AfCFTA trade principles and issued a 24-hour ultimatum while calling for a peaceful resolution.

The Regional Observatory of Onion in West and Central Africa (ORO) has appealed to the Government of Ghana to facilitate the immediate release of Nigerian onion trucks detained at Kotoku Market in Accra. It warned that the standoff could undermine regional agricultural trade and inflict heavy losses on exporters.

Speaking to journalists in Sokoto, the group's President, Isa Aliyu, claimed that the trucks, carrying highly perishable onions, have been prevented from offloading since Tuesday, July 21, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute.

Exporters Face Mounting Losses

Aliyu stated that the continued detention of the trucks is causing significant financial losses for Nigerian exporters and farmers whose livelihoods depend on onion production and cross-border trade.

He warned that onions are highly perishable and that prolonged delays would continue to reduce their quality and market value.

According to him, the situation threatens not only individual traders but also the stability of agricultural commerce between Nigeria and Ghana.

Aliyu further disclosed that the matter has been escalated through diplomatic channels, including engagements with trader associations in Ghana and the ECOWAS Trade Directorate.

He said Nigeria's Trade Director had formally communicated with his Ghanaian counterpart in an effort to resolve the impasse.

However, he noted that despite these interventions, the trucks remain unable to discharge their cargo.

ORO Cites ECOWAS and AfCFTA Commitments

The ORO president argued that both Nigeria and Ghana are signatories to the ECOWAS Protocol on the free movement of goods and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which are intended to facilitate seamless regional commerce.

He said allowing individual traders or market associations to obstruct trade undermines the objectives of regional economic integration and weakens confidence in existing trade agreements.

Aliyu further alleged that Nigerian traders are being treated unfairly compared to Ghanaian traders operating in Nigeria.

According to him, Ghanaian onion traders conduct their businesses freely in Nigeria and receive support without similar restrictions.

Existing Supply Arrangement at Risk

Aliyu explained that under an arrangement reached earlier this year, Nigeria supplies 16 trucks of onions to Ghana every week, while the Republic of Niger supplies about 10 trucks.

He added that Ghanaian traders purchase more than 50 truckloads of onions from Nigeria each week, underscoring the importance of the trade relationship to both countries.

He warned that continued disruption could reverse years of progress in strengthening regional agricultural markets and food supply chains.

Aliyu said stakeholders would be compelled to consider further action if the trucks were not released by Friday, 31 July 2025.

He noted that growing pressure from affected traders could lead ORO to convene a meeting to determine an appropriate response.

Despite expressing frustration over the situation, Aliyu reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to dialogue and peaceful engagement, urging Ghanaian authorities to act swiftly to protect regional food security and preserve longstanding trade relations between the two countries.