Soya Value Chain Association of Ghana calls for immediate lifting of Soybean export ban

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Date: November 2025

 

 

The Soya Value Chain Association of Ghana (SVCAG) is urgently calling on the Government of Ghana to lift the existing ban on the exportation of soybeans, which continues to threaten the livelihoods of thousands of farmers, aggregators, and processors across the country.
Background
Since the introduction of the Export and Import (Restrictions on Exportation of Grains) Regulations, 2022 (L.I. 2467), which replaced the Restrictions on Exportation of Soya Bean Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2432), Ghana has imposed restrictions on the export of three key agricultural commodities — rice, maize, and soya. These commodities are vital to both human and animal nutrition, making their regulation crucial for national food security.

However, the SVCAG has consistently advocated for a more transparent and inclusive export permit system. The current committee responsible for granting export permits operates without adequate representation from key industry stakeholders, including the Association itself. This exclusion has led to inefficiencies, lack of consultation, and unintended economic consequences for local farmers.
Impact of the Ban
The export ban, first instituted in December 2024 and still in force as of October 2025, has caused severe market distortions:
Soybean prices have plummeted from GHS 1,200 per 100kg in October 2023 to GHS 500 per 100kg by October 2025, with the potential for further decline as the 2025 harvest progresses.
The sharp price drop has reduced farmer incomes, discouraging production and threatening the sustainability of soybean farming across the five northern regions of Ghana.
Soybean cultivation, a vital source of employment for youth and women, is now at risk, with many households facing declining earnings and rising economic uncertainty.
Additionally, while local processors initially supported export restrictions, many now face declining demand for processed soy meal due to cheap imports from the United States and direct bean imports by large, foreign-owned processing companies. These factors have undermined local value addition, creating an uneven playing field for Ghanaian agribusinesses.
Call to Action
The Soya Value Chain Association of Ghana strongly believes that the continued ban on soybean exports has outlived its purpose and is now counterproductive. The Association emphasizes that:
“This issue is no longer just about trade—it has become a matter of economic justice and human rights. Our farmers deserve fair access to markets and fair prices for their produce.”
The SVCAG therefore calls on the Government to:
Immediately lift the export ban on soybeans to stabilize prices and restore farmer confidence.
Reconstitute the export restriction committee to include representatives from the SVCAG and other key stakeholders for greater transparency and accountability.
Support local processors and farmers through fair trade policies and improved financing mechanisms.
As the nation prepares to celebrate Farmers’ Day, the most meaningful gesture the government can make to honor Ghanaian farmers is to lift the export ban and allow fair market participation.
Issued by: Yaw Afrifa —-Executive Secretary
Endorsed By: Thomas W Bello – Association Chairman
The Soya Value Chain Association of Ghana (SVCAG)
Advocating for sustainable growth, fair trade, and inclusive development within Ghana’s soybean industry.
Contact: 0244815594
Email: [theexecutivesecretary@soyaghana.org | Tel: [0244815594 | Website: www.soyaghana.org]