Monrovia, August 7, 2025 – The National Rubber Brokers and Farmers Union of Liberia (NARBFUL) has sharply criticized the Government of Liberia, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture, over what it describes as an “unjust and economically harmful” move to restrict the export of cup-lump rubber under Executive Order #151.
Speaking on OK Morning RUSH on Thursday, NARBFUL President James W. Sayekea, flanked by key members of the Consortium of Rubber Sector Actors of Liberia (CORSAL), warned that the new policy would have devastating consequences for smallholder rubber farmers and Liberian rubber exporters who have long struggled to compete in a market dominated by foreign-owned processing companies.
Executive Order #151, initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture, restricts the export of unprocessed rubber (commonly known as cup-lump), which NARBFUL says is a direct continuation of the controversial Executive Order #124 issued in 2023 by former President George Weah.
In a strongly worded statement, Sayekea described the Executive Order as “evil” and “targeted at financially destroying Liberians,” particularly smallholder farmers with plantations under 100 acres. He accused Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah of openly admitting on a local television program that the Ministry’s goal is to “discourage Liberian exporters” in favor of foreign-owned rubber processors.
“This statement is not only shameful but deeply troubling, undemocratic, and economically harmful to Liberians who are trying to compete in the economy of their own country,” Sayekea said. “We are very sure that this was not the reason the Liberian people stood in the rain to cast their votes for the rescue team.”
The union further challenged the government’s narrative that restricting cup-lump exports would encourage local value addition. According to NARBFUL, rubber processing in Liberia limited to washing and drying raw rubber for export does not equate to value addition, as the end product (Technically Specified Rubber or TSR) is not used locally and does not impact the Liberian economy.
“Rubber dishes, buckets, chairs, tables, etc., are made from synthetic rubber, not from the natural rubber we grow in Liberia,” the union emphasized. “Claims that local companies plan to produce such items from natural rubber are false and misleading.”
NARBFUL also argued that while state-owned resources like iron ore, logs, gold, and diamonds are exported unprocessed without restriction, rubber a privately cultivated crop faces unjustified government interference.
“Why should the export of privately cultivated rubber be restricted when no such restrictions exist for state-held natural resources?” Sayekea questioned. “The only difference is that cup-lump rubber is largely exported by Liberians, while other resources are exported by foreign companies.”
The union disclosed that it has already implemented several regulatory mechanisms to ensure government revenue collection from the cup-lump trade. These include requiring exporters to hold valid business registrations, maintain tax and purchasing records, use certified electronic weighing scales, and pay taxes and subscriptions to the Rubber Development Fund.
Despite these efforts, Sayekea said the Ministry of Agriculture has refused to collaborate, instead pushing policies that maintain Liberia’s dependence on foreign processors and limit opportunities for local entrepreneurs to grow.
“The Government of Liberia has made no effort to support the establishment of a commercial processing facility for Liberian farmers,” he noted. “Instead, Liberians are expected to remain perpetual raw material suppliers, enriching foreign-owned companies while our people remain poor in their own country.”
NARBFUL called on the government to reinstate export duties on both processed and unprocessed rubber to generate additional revenue and ensure a level playing field for all actors in the sector.
The union concluded by urging all progressive forces and civil society organizations to rally against Executive Order #151 and push for reforms that will empower Liberians economically.
“Let this be placed on the record: this generation of smallholder rubber farmers and brokers will not accept any condition that intends to deprive the Liberian people economically,” Sayekea warned.
