The Gambia government has announced a temporary ban on the importation of onions and potatoes as part of efforts to protect local farmers and boost domestic food production.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MOTIE) said the 2026 moratorium will take effect from 1 March 2026. The restriction will run until the end of June for onions and the end of July for potatoes, with a possibility of extension.

According to the Ministry, the decision is anchored in the National Trade Policy, which aims to strengthen local agricultural production, improve food security, and give Gambian farmers access to the domestic market during peak harvest periods.

“The moratorium is intended to minimise post-harvest losses and ensure that locally produced onions and potatoes are prioritised in the market,” the Ministry said in a statement dated 26 January 2026.

MOTIE disclosed that it will work closely with the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) and other security agencies to strictly enforce the ban. All shipments of onions and potatoes arriving in the country after 1 March 2026 without approved exemptions will not be cleared.

The Ministry has urged importers, traders, and farmers to comply with the measure, stressing that cooperation from all stakeholders is vital to the success of the initiative.

By Adama Makasuba