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Cashew Industry: Côte d'Ivoire Strengthens Its Position as Global Leader with Increased Production and Accelerated Local Processing

Cashew Industry: Côte d'Ivoire Strengthens Its Position as Global Leader with Increased Production and Accelerated Local Processing

Cashew Industry: Côte d'Ivoire Strengthens Its Position as Global Leader with Increased Production and Accelerated Local Processing

As part of its strategy to enhance agricultural value chains, Côte d'Ivoire, the world’s largest producer of cashew nuts, continues to strengthen its leadership in the international market. For the 2025 season, producers will benefit from a farm gate price of 425 CFA francs per kilogram, reflecting a significant 54.54% increase compared to the previous year. This price adjustment, announced by Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food Production, during the opening of the National Cotton and Cashew Producers’ Days (JNPCA), aims to support farmers’ purchasing power and improve their living conditions.

The projected production for this campaign is 1.15 million tons, marking a 20% increase over the 2024 campaign, which reached 944,673 tons (94% of the revised target of 1 million tons). This performance is attributed to advancements in agronomic research, new high-yield cashew tree varieties, and improved training for producers on best agricultural practices.

The local cashew processing industry has also made significant progress. The volume of cashew nuts processed locally rose from 6.22% of production in 2016 to 21% in 2023, reaching 344,000 tons. This growth is part of the national goal to process 50% of production by 2030, generating more added value and jobs. In this context, over thirty processing plants were inaugurated in 2024, creating more than 15,000 direct jobs, 70% of which are occupied by women.

In response to the growing needs of local processors, an exclusive procurement period will be dedicated to them from January 24 to March 15, 2025, before the market opens to exporters of raw nuts. This initiative aims to enhance the competitiveness of the local industry and promote sustainable economic growth.

The results recorded by the cashew industry highlight the success of agricultural policies implemented under the leadership of President Alassane Ouattara, contributing to improving farmers' incomes and diversifying Côte d'Ivoire’s economy. With a contribution of 7% to the national GDP, the cashew sector continues to play a central role in the country’s economic development.

Source : Government Portal of Côte d'Ivoire, Sika Finance, MEPD Web Portal Editorial