Yam sellers at Nana Bosoma Market in Sunyani have cited irregular rainfall patterns and escalating farming input costs as drivers behind the recent hike in yam prices across the Bono Region.
Sellers attributed the scarcity to challenging weather conditions this year and emphasized that inadequate rainfall has reduced the yam supply in the market. Prices at farm gates have surged, with 100 tubers selling between GHC 6,000 and GHC 7,500.
At Nana Bosoma Market, three tubers of yam now fetch between GHC 50 and GHC 100, reflecting the increased costs incurred by farmers due to expensive inputs and labour.
Rebecca Ataa Yeboah, a yam seller, lamented the impact of poor rains on yam availability, stating, “There would have been an abundance of yam if it had rained. We do not have enough yam because of the poor rains. I believe in the coming months we will have yam in abundance.”
Fellow seller Akosua Yeboah refuted claims of deliberate price hikes, attributing the situation to farmers’ higher production costs. “We are not responsible for the high price of yam.
The farmers face high costs due to expensive farming inputs, which drives the price. We only add a small margin for profit,” she clarified.
Afia Serwaa echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the increased costs of farming inputs and labour as contributors to the elevated prices. She noted that similar challenges were faced last year, underscoring the recurring nature of the issue.
The surge in yam prices underscores the ongoing challenges faced by farmers and sellers in the region. Improved weather conditions are expected to stabilize prices in the coming months.
