The Rubber Processors Association of Ghana has warned that Ghana stands to lose more than $100 million each year if urgent measures are not implemented to promote local value addition to raw rubber.
The warning comes amid a recent surge in raw rubber exports, much of which industry stakeholders say is being channeled through unregulated outlets.
Speaking in an interview on September 19, 2025, the Chairman of the Association, Emmanuel Akwasi Owusu, noted that foreign companies are taking advantage of Ghana’s lower raw rubber prices at the expense of the domestic economy.
“Now, because we are cheap in terms of $600 compared to the $800 prices, they can afford to just come and take our raw rubber away. We are giving jobs to people in other countries and collapsing our economy,” he stated.
He explained that Ghana’s continued reliance on raw exports comes with significant financial consequences.
“The most serious thing is that every year, if we don’t add value, we are losing $100 million. When you add value to the raw rubber, which is sold at $600, you can then have an additional $900. So, if we are exporting only the raw, we are losing $900. If you multiply that by our production per year, it is the $100 million. That is the ripple effect we are talking about,” he noted.
The Association is calling for stricter enforcement of existing regulations to protect local processors, enhance value addition and create employment opportunities in the rubber sector.
SP/EB
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