The National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) has lifted its suspension on onion exports to Ghana, clearing the way for the immediate resumption of cross-border trade between the two ECOWAS countries.
The association, in a public notice on Wednesday, said the decision followed consultations with the Ministries of Trade of Nigeria and Ghana, diplomatic authorities, ECOWAS and other institutions involved in resolving the dispute.
The ban had disrupted supply chains and pushed up onion prices in Ghana, where Nigerian onions account for a significant share of the market supply.
‘Following subsequent interventions and steps towards establishing a more sustainable framework for onion trade, NOPPMAN resolved to withdraw the suspension and allow Nigerian onion exporters and transporters to resume operations in Ghana with immediate effect,’ the association said.
Traders expect truckloads to start moving within days. The resumption comes as both governments push to strengthen intra-African trade under AfCFTA and reduce food inflation.
The association had earlier suspended onion exports to Ghana following what it described as unresolved challenges confronting Nigerian onion traders and exporters operating in the country.
The challenges reportedly centred on the reception, allocation and offloading of onion consignments at Kotoku Market.
NOPPMAN said the situation had raised concerns over the safety of traders, transporters and their consignments, as well as the uninterrupted conduct of legitimate cross-border commercial activities.
The association said it will continue to engage with regulators to ensure the smooth movement of goods and prevent future disruptions to agricultural exports.
The development is expected to provide relief to farmers, processors, marketers, exporters and transporters whose livelihoods depend on the movement of agricultural commodities across West Africa.