The local rubber industry has praised the government for the bold policy measures outlined in the 2026 Budget, describing them as a transformative step that will protect local jobs, stimulate industrial growth, and save an estimated $127 million each year in foreign exchange losses from raw rubber exports.
Both the Association of Natural Rubber Actors Ghana (ANRAG), the umbrella association of all value chain associations in the rubber industry, and the Rubber Processors Association of Ghana (RUPAG) stated that the initiatives outlined in the budget demonstrate strong alignment between government policy and longstanding industry advocacy. They observed that this alignment presents a significant opportunity to develop a resilient, high-value, and globally competitive rubber industry.
In the budget presented to Parliament, the government announced several strategic measures to revitalise the rubber value chain and accelerate industrial transformation. Central among these is the restriction on raw-rubber exports, a policy designed to secure raw materials for local processors, boost value addition, and increase foreign-exchange earnings.
The policy reflects ANRAG’s earlier petition to the government, which warned that the unregulated export of raw rubber was crippling domestic processors. The association reported that 311 jobs were lost between January and October this year as factories cut production due to severe raw-material shortages. ANRAG maintains that restricting raw-rubber exports will safeguard local processing plants, preserve thousands of jobs, and significantly improve the country’s foreign-exchange position.
ANRAG President Emmanuel Akwasi Owusu described the government’s decision as “visionary and timely,” stressing that domestic processing offers far greater economic benefit than exporting raw materials. He explained that while raw rubber earns about $600 per tonne, processed rubber fetches nearly $1,500 per tonne on the international market.
“This value gap represents income that should remain in Ghana to support employment and expand industrial capacity,” he said.
Mr. Owusu projected that if all raw rubber were processed locally, Ghana could earn an average of $184 million annually over the next five years—compared to the current average of $56 million, a threefold increase. He added that many processing companies currently operate at below 40% capacity due to insufficient raw materials, a challenge the new policy is expected to address.
He cited Côte d’Ivoire as an illustrative example of the potential impact of the policy. Following the implementation of comparable export restrictions, the neighbouring country achieved a revenue exceeding $2.1 billion from rubber in the previous year. He further stated that Liberia is another nation in West Africa that has prohibited the export of raw rubber to foster industrial development and support the industry.
“With the 2026 Budget formally adopting the measures advocated by ANRAG, the decision affirms the government’s responsiveness and commitment to long-term industrial growth,” he stated.
"RUPAG General Secretary Perry Acheampong also welcomed the policy shift, describing it as 'bold, timely, and fully aligned with the sector’s growth trajectory.” He emphasised that value addition is the foundation of sustainable industrial development; however, for almost a decade, Ghanaian processors have faced challenges in operating at full capacity due to uncontrolled raw-rubber exports.
According to Mr Acheampong, restricting raw-material exports under the Feed the Industry Programme will ensure a stable supply of raw materials and strengthen Ghana’s competitiveness in the global value chain.
“This policy shows that government is listening to industry and is committed to building an integrated rubber value chain that supports jobs, boosts rural livelihoods, and enhances export performance,” he said.
RUPAG also expressed willingness to partner with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to implement a comprehensive national rubber development programme aimed at cultivating 100,000 hectares of rubber plantations through outgrower and smallholder schemes, supported by technical and extension services to increase yields and sustain production.
Both ANRAG and RUPAG expressed confidence that with consistent implementation, the new policy framework will position the rubber industry as one of Ghana’s strongest non-traditional export sectors and a key driver of inclusive industrialisation.