Ghana wastes up to 45% of its tomato harvest each year. This significant loss occurs because not enough tomatoes are processed into products like paste. A new Ghanaian company, Ntoswura, is working to change this. They process these surplus tomatoes.
The country produces about 380,000 tonnes of tomatoes annually. However, it needs more than 800,000 tonnes to meet demand. The problem is that between 30% and 45% of what is grown spoils before reaching consumers. This happens due to poor storage and lack of processing facilities. These facts come from reports by the FAO and the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana.
Ghana imports many tomatoes to meet its needs. This happens even though a large portion of its own tomatoes go to waste. The cold chain, which is a system of refrigerated transport and storage, is not well-developed for tomatoes in Ghana. Industrial processing plants also cannot handle all the extra tomatoes grown during peak seasons. Ntoswura's business model directly addresses these shortages.
Maame Adwoa Asiedu, CEO of Ntoswura, stated, "That is exactly why we are here – to process the tomatoes that are getting spoiled into paste." She added that Ghana must add value to its produce at the source. The company partners directly with farms. They select tomato types best for making paste. Ntoswura processes these tomatoes in Ghana. This helps reduce waste and creates a local product that can compete with foreign brands.
Ntoswura plans to expand its network in key tomato-producing regions. These include the Northern, Upper East, and Ashanti regions. The company aims to be the first natural Ghanaian tomato product in its category. Maame Asiedu explained that most tomato pastes available are foreign brands. Ntoswura wants Ghanaians to choose a natural, locally made alternative. She notes that producing locally without preservatives can be more expensive.
Consumers are used to cheaper imported pastes. Ntoswura believes consistency and quality will win them over. Imported products often receive subsidies, making them cheaper. Ntoswura is betting that consumers will pay more for a preservative-free, Ghanaian product. Ghana spends over $8 billion annually on imported food. Ntoswura's initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce this spending.
The Joy Agribusiness Month event through June 2026 highlights these issues. It covers topics like government policy, research, and infrastructure. The goal is to support Ghana's agriculture sector and improve food security. Ntoswura's products are currently sold in Accra and Kumasi.