The Rubber Processors Association of Ghana (RUPAG) says Ghana’s temporary restrictions on raw natural rubber exports are yielding positive results, with local processors recording increased purchases and stronger activity across the rubber value chain.
The Association said early industry data show that the policy intervention is encouraging domestic processing, creating opportunities for farmers, traders and aggregators while supporting Ghana’s broader industrialisation agenda.
According to RUPAG, local processors purchased about 30,967 tonnes (dry) of raw rubber between January and June 2026, compared with 21,627 tonnes (dry) during the same period in 2025, representing a 43 per cent increase in domestic purchases.
Secretary of RUPAG, Mr. Perry Acheampong, said the figures contradict earlier concerns that restrictions on raw rubber exports would negatively affect farmers and other players in the supply chain.
He explained that purchases from traders and aggregators more than doubled, increasing from approximately 5,987 tonnes (dry) in the first half of 2025 to 13,431 tonnes (dry) during the same period in 2026.
Purchases directly from farmers also recorded growth, rising from about 15,640 tonnes (dry) to 17,535 tonnes (dry) within the same period.
“The early data indicate that domestic market activity is expanding and that opportunities continue to exist for farmers, traders and aggregators,” Mr. Acheampong said.
He noted that processors had continued to purchase raw rubber while offering prices above the monthly minimum factory gate prices announced by the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA).
Mr. Acheampong said retaining raw materials for local processing was critical to Ghana’s industrial transformation, arguing that exporting processed rubber creates greater economic benefits than shipping raw materials.
He said increased domestic processing would support jobs in manufacturing, transportation, logistics, warehousing and related sectors while generating additional tax revenue and foreign exchange earnings.
Industry projections indicate that expanding local value addition could generate about US$1.36 billion in additional foreign exchange earnings and approximately GH¢326 million in additional tax revenues between 2026 and 2031.
Mr. Acheampong said local processors were already expanding production capacity in preparation for increased demand under the government’s 24-Hour Economy Policy.
He stressed that Ghana’s long-term objective should be to maximise the economic value of its natural resources by processing more rubber locally rather than exporting it in raw form.
The RUPAG Secretary said Ghana’s approach was consistent with trends in other rubber-producing countries, where governments have introduced measures to encourage domestic processing.
He cited Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia as countries that have introduced restrictions on raw rubber exports to strengthen local industries, while Nigeria processes most of its natural rubber into Technically Specified Rubber (TSR) before export.
He also referenced market intelligence from Helixtap, a Smartkarma Group company, which indicated that Malaysia relies increasingly on imported raw rubber, including supplies from Ghana, to support its downstream manufacturing sector.
According to the data cited by RUPAG, Ghana currently accounts for about 15.2 per cent of Malaysia’s natural rubber imports.
Mr. Acheampong said the experience of other rubber-producing nations demonstrated that countries that invest in local processing are better positioned to create jobs, increase export earnings and build stronger industrial economies.
He called for continued collaboration among farmers, traders, aggregators, processors, transporters, regulators and other stakeholders to ensure that the transition towards domestic value addition benefits all actors in the sector.
“While implementation challenges remain and stakeholder concerns must continue to be addressed, the available evidence suggests that the policy is moving in the right direction and should be given the opportunity to mature,” he said.
He added that a stronger domestic rubber processing industry would contribute to job creation, economic resilience and improved foreign exchange earnings for Ghana.
