Yam prices surge in Dambai market amid harvest season

13th May 2025 By The Global Heroes Articles

Yam prices at the Dambai Market in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region have seen a sharp increase as the harvesting season progresses.

According to a report by Adom News' Obrempongba Owusu, the cost of a bundle of 100 yam tubers has risen dramatically from an average of GHS 3,000 to between GHS 5,000 and GHS 7,000, depending on the quality and size of the tubers.

This steep price hike is causing concern among both buyers and sellers, many of whom are struggling to cope with the financial impact.

Farmers at the market attribute the rising prices to several factors, including the high and unstable costs of agro-chemicals and farming inputs, as well as increased demand during the peak of the harvest season.

However, buyers have voiced frustrations not just about the soaring prices but also about the quality of the yams. Many reported issues with spoilage, noting that tubers often appear healthy on the outside but are rotten when cut open. This has been linked to poor storage facilities, extreme weather conditions, and the use of certain chemicals during cultivation.

Raising concerns about the lack of proper storage infrastructure at the market, the buyers are also calling on the government and the Minister of Agriculture to regulate the use of agro-chemicals to improve the quality and longevity of yam produce.

Public Relations Officer of the Yam Buyers and Sellers Association in Dambai, Wisdom Awuranyi has emphasized the need for a modern market facility to address these issues.

“We need more organized storage facilities and a hygienic environment for trading,” he said, adding that improved infrastructure would reduce spoilage and ensure that consumers receive high-quality yams.

He also urged the government to invest in farmer education on the appropriate use of fertilizers and chemicals to make Ghana’s yam production more competitive internationally.

With better systems in place, stakeholders believe the Dambai yam market could become a model of sustainable and profitable agricultural trade in the region.