Nigerian Onion Traders Suspend Exports to Ghana

Nigerian onion traders have halted exports to Ghana amid a deepening trade dispute, warning that prolonged disruptions could harm farmers, traders and regional food supplies.

The National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) announced the suspension, citing repeated harassment of Nigerian traders, restrictions on offloading consignments and the seizure of onion-laden trucks at Kotoku Market in Accra.

The association’s national president, Alhaji Aliyu Isa Maitasamu also referred to as Isa Aliyu said the move follows exhausted efforts to resolve the issues and will remain in place until Nigeria and Ghana reach a mutually acceptable agreement on trade rules.

Traders report significant losses, with one estimate putting recent damage at about N1.2 billion due to delays that caused highly perishable onions to deteriorate.

Officials said some trucks faced severe restrictions, including limits on the number of vehicles allowed to offload daily, despite interventions by Nigerian and Ghanaian authorities.

NOPPMAN has formally requested urgent mediation by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and called on the governments of both countries to intervene.

The association is also pushing for a binding memorandum of understanding to establish clear, enforceable rules for cross-border onion trade under existing ECOWAS frameworks.

This is not the first such disruption in 2026. A similar suspension occurred in April after reports of intimidation and truck seizures at the same Accra market.

Nigeria is a major supplier of onions to Ghana and other West African markets, and industry observers have cautioned that extended interruptions could affect food availability and prices in the sub-region.

The suspension was reported by the News Agency of Nigeria and covered by multiple outlets in early August 2026.