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Ghana expects heavy rubber exports by 2020

Posted on : 06 Jul, 2012

 

With the surge of interest lately in African rubber plantations, Ghana is certain of sizeable export of rubber by 2020, and bringing in almost US$250 million, thus increasing the country’s foreign-exchange revenue. France, Turkey, East Africa, South Korea and Burkina Faso receive nearly 95% of Ghana’s rubber produce. Mr. Joseph Baidoo-Williams, Head of the Perennial Crops Development Unit at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), said in an interview, “The rubber sector is doing fairly well due to the ready market for the raw material, coupled with government's support for the farmers. Government has identified the rubber sector as holding tremendous potential to create jobs and reduce poverty and as such is giving it the necessary support to enable it contribute to the development of the economy.”

 

He also pointed out, “Recent trends in world prices suggest that rubber production when properly nurtured could easily become a major foreign exchange earner for the country.” He foresees the planting of 10,500 hectares of rubber trees between 2010 and 2014.

 

From 1,200 hectares of rubber plantations in 1995, the country has advanced to 35,000 hectares under cultivation, expecting an output of 63,000 tonnes of the crop. A fact to note is that the rubber plant has a lifespan of 35 years.

 

In light of the growing demand for natural rubber in the past decade, RubberPlant Africa held from 04-05 September 2012 in Accra aims at delivering a comprehensive view of the potential in Africa’s rubber production, management and investment. On Day 2 of the conference, Hon. Yaw Effah-Baafi, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Food & Agriculture, Ghana will deliver a Keynote Address on ‘Investment Opportunities in Palm Oil & Rubber Plantations in Ghana’.

 

For further details, contact Ms. Hafizah at hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg or Register here and reserve seats to attend the event.

 

Read complete article here.