The recent coup in Niger has led to disruptions in the onion supply chain, particularly affecting Ghana as a major importer of onions from Niger. Some 80 percent of the onions consumed in Ghana are imported from Niger and Burkina Faso and 43 percent of this import is said to originate from Niger alone.
The closure of borders and imposition of sanctions by ECOWAS have raised concerns about potential onion shortages and price increases, which are already being experienced in the local markets. A check from local markets indicates that a maxi-sack of onions that used to sell for around GH0800 to GH0900 now sells at GH01,500, a large price increase just a month after the coup.
Local importers have reported huge economic losses as their onions are rotting away due to the border closures and disruptions in transportation through already dangerous and unpredictable roads.
[ GH10 = €0.81 ]
Source: ghanaweb.com