A coup has recently occurred in Niger, leading to a significant impact on onion prices in Ghana and its neighbouring countries. Niger, a crucial exporter of dry onions in West Africa, traditionally supplies 70 percent of Ghana’s onion imports. In Adjen Kotoku market, situated 33 kilometers from Accra, Yakubu Akteniba, an onion vendor, has seen a stark change in his business since early August.
In the past, Akteniba’s shed would be bustling with customers on Saturday mornings, haggling over fresh onion produce. However, this scene has quieted down due to disruptions in the food supply chain across West Africa.
Akteniba, representing the market’s 200-member onion sellers’ association, explained the situation, saying, “We used to receive at least 20 truckloads of onions daily here. The number of trucks coming here has now dropped to between two and five daily. If things don’t change, most of us will be out of business.”
The root cause of this crisis can be traced back to Niger, which is four countries away from Ghana but is also a member of the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). On July 26, the Nigerien presidential guard staged a coup, overthrowing Mohamed Bazoum, the democratically elected leader since 2021. In response, ECOWAS imposed several sanctions, including the closure of borders surrounding Niger and a halt to trade with the country.
This decision has ignited a brewing food crisis throughout West Africa. Niger plays a pivotal role in exporting dry onions in the region, accounting for nearly two-thirds of total exports in 2021, according to the market intelligence platform, Indexbox.
Data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) reveals that in 2021, Niger exported onions worth $23.4 million, making it the 31st largest onion exporter globally. Onions were the sixth-most exported product for Niger that year, with Ghana ($21.7 million), Ivory Coast ($1.15 million), Benin ($451,000), Togo ($84,500), and Nigeria ($35,100) being the primary destinations. Remarkably, all five of these countries have supported ECOWAS sanctions against Niger.
Unfortunately, these sanctions have triggered an onion shortage and increased the cost of onions and other food commodities like beans and millet in regions where supply remains available. Akteniba lamented, “They [ECOWAS] have blocked the vehicles from coming.” Before the military takeover, a 100kg sack of onions was sold at $61, but now the price has nearly doubled to $105. A 25kg sack of onions currently costs $27, compared to $17 before the border closure.
Onions hold significant cultural and culinary value in West Africa, where they are a staple in many dishes, whether boiled, fried, caramelized, or used raw as garnish.
However, the soaring onion prices are causing concerns, especially in a country like Ghana, where about a quarter of its 32 million people live on less than $1 a day, according to the Ghana Statistical Service.
Deborah Biney, a 40-year-old mother of two, shared her experience, saying, “I love onions, but for some time now, I am cutting down on the quantity in preparing meals because it is becoming too expensive. Before the political situation in Niger, I was buying three big pieces of onions for $0.17 in my neighbourhood, but now I use the same amount to buy just one piece.”
In addition to their culinary value, onions offer several health benefits, such as improved blood sugar regulation and increased bone density, according to experts.
Patience Naa Adjeley Adjei, a nutritionist and home economics teacher, emphasized the nutritional importance of onions and expressed concern over households reducing their usage due to rising prices. She stated, “Onions have a distinct flavour that enhances dishes and stimulates appetite. They are low in calories and fat but rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Onions contain fibber, vitamin C, and various beneficial compounds with potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.”
Nigeria provides 20 percent of the onions sold in Ghana, while Burkina Faso contributes about 5 percent of the onions consumed there. Ghana itself only produces 5 percent of the onions it consumes locally.
However, the bulk of onions, approximately 70 percent, valued at about $2 million weekly, are imported from Niger, as stated by Food and Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong.
Acheampong expressed his concern, calling this situation an “embarrassment” and an unnecessary drain on foreign exchange. He announced that the administration is finalizing an “aggressive five-year plan” to enhance food security by promoting year-round production and reducing the reliance on imports of essential commodities like tomatoes and onions.
Niger’s military government, however, has shown no intention of releasing Bazoum and has signalled its desire to remain in power for at least three years before transitioning back to civilian leadership, despite the possibility of military intervention by ECOWAS.
Experts have cautioned that if this impasse persists, it could lead to dire humanitarian consequences and a food security crisis in the region. A United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) study conducted in April showed that acute food insecurity is on the rise in West and Central Africa, as humanitarian assistance is severely hindered by insecurity in conflict-affected areas of Burkina Faso and Mali.
The spread of activities by armed groups in the Sahel is also hampering the food supply chain in the region, according to the onion sellers’ association.
Peter Appiah Mensah, the owner of trucks that transport onions, beans, and millets from Niger to Ghana, highlighted the challenges faced by the supply chain, including attacks on trucks by terrorists, particularly in the Niger area.
Ziad Hamoui, co-chair of the Food Trade Coalition for Africa and president of the Ghanaian chapter of Borderless Alliance, a regional trade advocacy group, called for regional leaders to adopt a more flexible approach. He emphasized the importance of maintaining regional trade flows and suggested the need for mechanisms that facilitate communication and conflict resolution among countries in the face of challenges.
In the meantime, some onion trucks remain stuck at borders in Burkina Faso, which is also under military rule and has allied itself with Mali to support Niger. In Ghana, vegetable traders are concerned that the vegetables might rot and lose value by the time the borders are reopened. Akteniba urged the Ghanaian government to invest more in local onion production, acknowledging that Ghana’s onions are smaller due to weather conditions compared to those from Niger, posing a challenge that needs to be addressed.
