Egg glut hits Ghana as Burkina Faso import ban bites

Egg suppliers in Koforidua in the Eastern Region have joined growing calls for the government to engage Burkina Faso over a trade suspension that has halted egg exports for more than two months, leading to a significant oversupply in the domestic market.

The appeal follows a recent press conference by the Poultry Farmers, Egg Sellers and Exporters Association in Dormaa Ahenkro, one of the country’s major egg-producing hubs, where industry players raised concerns about border restrictions preventing exports to key regional markets.

According to stakeholders, the restrictions are linked to lingering health concerns associated with Ghana’s previous outbreak of Avian Influenza, which they argue has not been conclusively addressed through an official government white paper or comprehensive international communication.

The ongoing trade impasse has created a glut in the local market, forcing producers and suppliers to contend with falling prices and the risk of spoilage of the highly perishable commodity. Farmers and traders warn that prolonged oversupply could lead to severe financial losses across the poultry value chain.

“The persistence of excess supply can compel me to sell crates of eggs at far lesser prices,” said Ms. Abena Amankwaa, an egg supplier at Koforidua Central Market, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency.

She explained that a crate of eggs currently sells for between GH¢50 and GH¢55, but cautioned that prices could drop further as suppliers rush to offload stock before it deteriorates.

While suppliers face mounting economic pressure, some consumers and small-scale businesses say the situation is providing short-term relief. Lower egg prices have made the commodity more accessible, allowing households to improve protein intake and businesses to reduce production costs.

“My baked goods will be enriched, improving both the taste and quality of my products,” said Ms. Rebecca Gyan, a local baker, noting that the price drop has enabled her to purchase eggs in larger quantities for her operations.

Household consumers have similarly welcomed the decline in prices, viewing it as an opportunity to incorporate more affordable protein into their diets amid broader cost-of-living pressures.

Despite these temporary benefits, industry players stress that the situation is unsustainable and have renewed calls for urgent diplomatic engagement between Ghana and Burkina Faso to resolve the trade standoff. They warn that continued restrictions could lead to widespread waste, reduced farmer incomes, and potential disruptions in future poultry production cycles.

Stakeholders are therefore urging government authorities to take swift action to restore export channels, stabilize the market, and protect the livelihoods of those dependent on the poultry industry.