The Ministry of Trade has opened talks with stakeholders in the rubber industry to avert supply disruptions that are weakening local processing capacity and putting foreign-exchange projections at risk.
Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Minister, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, convened processors, farmers, aggregators, financiers, exporters, and the Tree Crop Development Authority on October 27 to examine the shortage of raw material and its impact on value addition.
Processors at the meeting warned that inconsistent supply of latex is forcing under-utilisation of plants, weakening margins and reducing Ghana’s competitiveness against Asian suppliers. Industry players cited unsecured out-grower arrangements, slow plantation expansion and limited access to capital as the drivers of feedstock volatility.
Exporters added that missed volumes could erode market share in long-term offtake contracts, with adverse implications for dollar inflows. Aggregators and farmers pointed to pricing disputes and delayed payments as factors disincentivising steady supply into domestic processors.
Ofosu-Adjare said further structured engagements will follow to define policy and financing interventions. She pledged to back measures that restore supply stability and protect the industry’s role in non-traditional export earnings.
Outcomes from the follow-up process are expected to inform regulatory, incentive and coordination actions before year-end.
