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Nigerian onion traders have suspended exports to Ghana and asked ECOWAS to intervene, saying repeated disputes and alleged harassment of traders have made cross-border trade increasingly difficult.
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The latest action follows an earlier suspension in April after Nigerian traders reportedly complained about the seizure of onion-laden trucks and alleged mistreatment at Ghanaian markets.
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The dispute comes as onion prices rise sharply in Nigeria, with the price of a large bag increasing 40 percent to ₦105,000 in July, adding pressure to an already strained supply chain.
August 10, (THEWILL) — Nigerian onion traders have suspended exports to Ghana and called for urgent intervention by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over a lingering dispute affecting cross-border agricultural trade.
The National Onion Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPMAN) announced the suspension through its National President, Alhaji Aliyu Maitasamu, in Sokoto, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
Maitasamu said the decision followed the failure of previous efforts to resolve the disagreement between traders in both countries.
He said onion exports would remain suspended until the Nigerian and Ghanaian governments reached an amicable agreement on the rules governing the trade.
According to him, the action was not intended to undermine regional commerce but to draw the attention of authorities to the challenges facing Nigerian traders and secure a lasting solution.
The association has consequently appealed to ECOWAS to intervene and help resolve the dispute.
READ ALSO:Â ECOWAS Ends Ghana-Nigeria Onion Trade Dispute, Pushes Long-Term Reforms
Dispute has disrupted onion trade
The latest suspension is not the first disruption to Nigerian onion exports to Ghana this year.
A similar action was reported in April after Nigerian onion traders complained about alleged harassment, intimidation and the seizure of onion-laden trucks at the Kotoku Market in Accra.
At the time, the National President of the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria, Isa Aliyu, said the suspension of transportation along the Ghana corridor had become necessary because of what traders described as persistent unfair treatment.
The association also called on the governments of Nigeria and Ghana and regional authorities to protect traders and uphold ECOWAS agreements governing the movement of goods across West Africa.
Maitasamu warned that a prolonged suspension could affect farmers, producers, exporters, transporters, wholesalers and retailers involved in the onion value chain.
He said restoring the flow of onions would help rebuild confidence in cross-border agricultural commerce and protect the livelihoods of people dependent on the trade.
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Onion prices add to pressure
The dispute comes at a time when onion prices are already rising in Nigeria. The price of a large bag of onions increased from ₦75,000 in June to ₦105,000 in July, representing a 40 percent month-on-month increase.
Traders attributed the increase to seasonal shortages in northern producing areas. Heavy rainfall in some producing regions also affected harvesting, storage and transportation, further tightening supply.
The survey covered markets including Mushin, Daleko, Mile 12 and Oyingbo in Lagos.
The combination of rising domestic prices and the latest disruption to exports highlights the wider challenges facing Nigeria’s onion supply chain.
Ogochukwu Onwaeze is a writer specializing in business and economic journalism. At THEWILL News Media, she translates market trends, financial developments, and policy shifts into clear and engaging stories.
