The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) has warned that the 20% excise duty on natural fruit juices is destroying up to 127,000 jobs across the agricultural and processing value chains, while undermining Ghana’s potential to earn $1 billion annually in juice exports.
In a statement released on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, CAG said the policy, introduced as a public health measure, is instead forcing juice processing factories to operate at 30-45% capacity, well below their optimal 70-85%, creating ripple effects on rural farmers who rely on these factories as reliable buyers for pineapples, oranges, mangoes, and other fruits.
Anthony Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of CAG, said, “The 20% excise duty is not just a tax on juice processors; it is a direct attack on the livelihoods of 50,000 to 120,000 farming households across Ghana.
Farmers face 15-30% price declines, watch 30-40% of their harvest rot in the fields, and lose the reliable markets that contract farming provides.”
The Chamber highlighted that women farmers, who make up 55-60% of fruit producers, are disproportionately affected. Reduced processing capacity also threatens youth employment in factory operations and contributes to rural economic decline in regions such as Eastern, Volta, and Central.
CAG further warned that the excise duty is hampering Ghana’s ability to compete internationally.
“Global demand for natural and functional beverages is growing at 6-8% annually. Ghana is uniquely positioned to capture $700 million to $1 billion in exports, but the current tax undermines our competitiveness,” Morrison noted.
The Chamber is urging the government to exempt 100% natural fruit juices from the excise duty immediately, warning that failure to act could erode jobs, farmer incomes, and Ghana’s position in the global juice market.
