EU Raises Concerns Over Suspected Fraud in Local Pineapple Exports

The European Union (EU) has raised concerns over suspected fraud involving local pineapple exports from Ghana to the European market.

According to the EU’s January 2024 Report on Agri-Food Fraud Suspicions, pineapples exported from Ghana to Belgium were found to contain higher than permitted levels of ethephon, a plant growth regulator used to promote fruit ripening and other agricultural responses.

Ethephon is subject to strict residue limits in the EU, with a maximum residue limit of 2.0 mg/kg on pineapples. However, pineapples originating from Ghana were detected with levels reaching 2.4 mg/kg of ethephon acid.

The report aims to enforce regulations requiring risk-based controls to detect and combat fraudulent practices within the EU’s agri-food supply chains. It also serves to inform stakeholders in the sector about emerging risks and vulnerabilities.

Ghana’s pineapple industry is pivotal within its horticultural sector, primarily cultivated in regions like Greater Accra, Central, Eastern, and Volta.

The industry is crucial for Ghana’s non-traditional exports, contributing significantly to the national economy and supporting over twenty thousand jobs.

However, the sector faces numerous challenges, including pests, diseases, soil fertility issues, and post-harvest handling concerns. Any potential EU ban due to quality issues could severely impact jobs and investments in Ghana’s pineapple sector.

Previously, the EU imposed a ban on Ghanaian fruit exports in 2018 due to quality and standards issues, only lifting it in 2021. This lifting encouraged increased investment by farmers to meet EU export requirements.

The EU’s report also highlighted infractions by other African countries, including Egypt, Uganda, and Senegal, with concerns raised about oranges and strawberries not meeting EU production standards.