The National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) has lifted its suspension on onion exports from Nigeria to Ghana with immediate effect, following renewed engagements aimed at resolving challenges affecting cross-border trade.
The association announced the decision in a public notice signed by its President, Alhaji Aliyu Maitasamu, on Wednesday.
NOPPMAN said the decision followed consultations with relevant stakeholders, including the Ministries of Trade of Nigeria and Ghana, diplomatic authorities, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other institutions involved in regional trade.
The association had previously suspended onion exports to Ghana over unresolved difficulties affecting Nigerian and Nigerien onion traders and exporters operating in the Ghanaian market.
The concerns reportedly centred on the reception, allocation and offloading of onion consignments at Kotoku Market, as well as the safety and uninterrupted movement of legitimate cross-border traders.
Maitasamu said the suspension was lifted after subsequent engagements and consultations with stakeholders and in view of measures being taken to establish a more sustainable framework for onion trade between the two countries.
“Onion exports from Nigeria to Ghana may resume with immediate effect,” he said.
However, the association urged Nigerian onion exporters and transporters to conduct their activities peacefully and comply with applicable laws, regulations, trade procedures and agreed market arrangements.
NOPPMAN also advised exporters to maintain proper documentation and comply with AfCFTA, ECOWAS, phytosanitary, customs and other relevant trade requirements.
The association called on stakeholders in Ghana to reciprocate the decision by ensuring the safe reception, lawful movement, fair market access and uninterrupted offloading of legitimate Nigerian and Nigerien onion consignments.
NOPPMAN further urged traders to resolve disagreements through dialogue and established dispute-resolution mechanisms rather than intimidation, obstruction, violence or retaliatory measures.
“Any disagreement or dispute arising from the conduct of onion trade should be addressed through dialogue, consultation and the appropriate dispute-resolution mechanisms, rather than through intimidation, obstruction, violence or retaliatory measures,” Maitasamu said.
The initial suspension had raised concerns among traders and other stakeholders over the potential impact of disruptions on agricultural commodity flows across West African borders.
Kotoku Market is a major destination for onion consignments entering Ghana, making disruptions there a significant concern for traders operating along the Nigeria-Ghana trade corridor.
Nigeria and Ghana are key participants in regional commerce under the ECOWAS framework, while the African Continental Free Trade Area provides a broader platform for expanding intra-African trade.
NOPPMAN said the latest decision was aimed at supporting efforts to establish a permanent and mutually acceptable framework that protects producers, exporters, transporters, marketers and consumers across the affected countries.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful regional trade, food security, economic cooperation and the protection of the legitimate interests of Nigerian onion farmers, traders and exporters.
It also acknowledged the intervention of government authorities, diplomatic missions, ECOWAS and other stakeholders in efforts to resolve the dispute through dialogue.
NOPPMAN subsequently directed its members and other stakeholders to take note of the lifting of the suspension and resume their activities accordingly.
