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Ghanaian banana farmers have expressed fears they stand to lose more if the impasse between Ghana and Britain is not resolved sooner.
The farmers have already lost about 20% of their exports to the United Kingdom (UK) and could lose up to 70% in the coming weeks.
A number of UK companies are threatening to reject more exports from the country as Ghana and Britain have failed to reach a trade agreement post-Brexit.
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Three leading Ghanaian banana export companies Golden Exotic, Volta River Estates and Blue Skies have indicated this delayed agreement could result in major layoffs.
The Administrative and Corporate Affairs Manager of Golden Exotic told Joy Business News the situation is not favourable because the buyers are extremely concerned.
According to him, UK buyers have indicated if the problem is not resolved quickly from next week they intend to divert a large proportion of the supply to another country that has already been able to secure a trade agreement with the UK.
Banana exporters from Ghana, he said, would lose a substantial part of their business if this happens, which would be about 30% initially.
“This could quickly translate into larger volumes.”
“About 50% of our total production goes to the UK and that is a significant part of our business.”
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“The problem is that when they become comfortable with a new source, chances are that they may not come back even when the situation is resolved,” he said.
These three banana companies together employ more than 5,000 Ghanaian workers directly and above 25,000 indirectly.
A stakeholder in the banana business for more than 19 years expressed fears they could lose their livelihood if Ghana loses out on exports to Britain.
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FrontPageGhana.com/Osumanu Al-Hassn
