The possibility of an impending shortage of onions emerging due to importers being stuck in Benin

The aftermath of the coup in Niger has prompted the closure of the Benin border, and this is expected to result in a rise in onion prices across various local markets.

Traders dealing in onions, who are currently stranded at the Benin border due to prolonged delays, have made an appeal to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. They are urging him to intervene urgently to facilitate the release of approximately 70 trucks transporting onions from Niger to Ghana via Benin.

As a consequence of the border closure triggered by the coup in Niger, these trucks and their drivers have been stuck at the border for several weeks.

The group of onion merchants, responsible for the transportation of over 70 truckloads, has expressed their concerns. They have stressed that without swift action from the President, there’s a significant risk that the onions could spoil, potentially causing a surge in onion prices.

The political unrest in Niger has already led to skyrocketing vegetable prices, with bags of vegetables now priced between GH¢1,500 to GH¢1,600. Industry experts fear that if the situation isn’t promptly addressed, prices could escalate further to GH¢3,000 to GH¢4,000.

Yakubu Apendiba, the spokesperson for the onion traders, explained in an interview on Eyewitness News that some of the trucks have been allowed to cross the Benin border, while others are still stranded at the Burkina Faso border. He highlighted the current scarcity of onions and the resulting price hikes in the market. The traders are appealing to the government to help coordinate with Burkina Faso’s President to ensure safe passage of the trucks to Ghana.

Source – citinewsroom.com