The Exotic Fruit Growers, Fruit Processors and Associations of Ekumfi and Asebu have warmly commended the Government of Ghana and the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, following the decision to abolish the 20 per cent excise duty on locally manufactured fruit juices.
Describing the tax removal as a landmark intervention, the associations noted that the policy—announced during the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review—will revive the country's fruit processing industry and restore investor confidence across the agricultural value chain.
Protecting Investments and Local Farmers
Over the past several years, farmers and investors in Ekumfi and Asebu have poured substantial capital into cultivating a wide array of produce, including pineapples, papaya, oranges, lemons, passion fruit, ginger, and coconut. These investments were made with the expectation of supplying Ghana’s growing fruit processing sector.
According to the associations, removing the excise duty comes at a vital moment. Local processors have struggled with escalating production costs and intense competition, which threatened the livelihoods of thousands of fruit farmers and factory workers nationwide. Ensuring the survival and expansion of processing plants is crucial to providing sustainable markets and attractive returns for growers.
Economic Impact: Jobs, Import Savings, and Exports
The associations highlighted that the policy relief could trigger a major economic turnaround across the sector:
Job Creation: Renewed growth is projected to generate between 60,000 and 150,000 direct and indirect jobs across farming, irrigation, harvesting, logistics, processing, packaging, and retail.
Import Substitution: Boosting local production capacity could save Ghana more than $200 million annually in fruit juice imports, keeping value within the domestic economy.
Export Revenue: Over the long term, a strengthened processing industry holds the potential to generate over $500 million in annual export earnings.
"Ghana can emerge as the leading natural fruit beverage manufacturing hub in the West African sub-region, leveraging its abundant tropical fruit resources and expanding exports to regional and international markets." — Exotic Fruit Growers, Processors and Associations of Ekumfi and Asebu
Competing on the Global Stage
The group pointed to Ekumfi Fruits and Juices Limited as proof of Ghana's international competitiveness, citing the brand's availability on major global retail platforms such as Walmart.com in the United States.
To build on this momentum, the associations called on the government for sustained policy backing, including affordable financing, expanded irrigation infrastructure, and targeted export market support to help Ghanaian brands access additional global retail chains.
Expressing appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the associations reaffirmed their commitment to partnering with the government to boost crop yields, raise quality standards, and transform Ghana’s tropical fruit wealth into sustainable jobs and foreign exchange earnings.
