Nigerian onion exporters have resumed shipments to Ghana after their umbrella body, the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria, NOPPMAN, lifted a suspension that had disrupted a key agricultural trade route in West Africa.

The association halted exports earlier in response to mounting complaints from Nigerian and Nigerien traders over the treatment of their consignments in Ghana, particularly at the Kotoku Market, a major hub for onion distribution. Traders reported difficulties with reception and allocation of trucks, delays in offloading, and concerns about the safety and free movement of drivers and goods.

In a public notice signed by its president, Aliyu Maitasamu, NOPPMAN said the suspension was lifted after a new round of engagements with authorities in both countries and regional institutions. The association cited consultations with the trade ministries of Nigeria and Ghana, diplomatic missions, the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, and other relevant agencies.

Maitasamu explained that the decision followed assurances that steps were being taken to create a more predictable and secure framework for cross-border onion trade. He announced that exports from Nigeria to Ghana could resume immediately, but urged traders to operate with restraint and professionalism.

Exporters and transporters were reminded to comply fully with national laws and regional trade rules, including requirements under the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, ECOWAS protocols, customs regulations and phytosanitary standards. Proper documentation and adherence to agreed market procedures at entry points such as Kotoku Market were emphasised as conditions for a smoother flow of goods.

The association also appealed to Ghanaian authorities and market stakeholders to reciprocate by guaranteeing safe reception, lawful passage, fair market access and uninterrupted offloading of legitimate Nigerian and Nigerien consignments. Any disputes, it stressed, should be handled through dialogue, consultation and recognised dispute-resolution mechanisms, rather than intimidation, obstruction or violence.

The earlier suspension had raised fears of supply disruptions and price volatility in both countries, given the importance of onions in regional food markets. Nigeria and Ghana are key players in intra-West African trade, and the onion corridor between them is seen as a test case for the effectiveness of ECOWAS and AfCFTA commitments.

NOPPMAN said the resumption of exports is intended to support efforts toward a lasting, mutually acceptable arrangement that protects producers, exporters, transporters, marketers and consumers across the affected countries.