Côte d'Ivoire becomes one of the biggest exporters of processed cashew nuts

A worker checks bags of cashew nuts at a warehouse in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, May 13, 2020. (Illustrative Image) © REUTERS/Luc Gnago

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

Already the world's largest cashew nut producer, it is on the podium of cashew kernel exporters in third place.

An illustration of the efforts put in place in the country which has focused on cashew processing.

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Cashew nuts from Côte d'Ivoire are considered a strategic product.

And this explains the cumulative records in the sector.

The country exported twice as many shelled walnuts in 2021 as in 2020 and four times as many as in 2019.

These commercial prowess is due to the increase in the country's processing capacities, following an offensive policy by the authorities to promote investments in the sector.

Côte d'Ivoire processes nearly 13% of its production.

But the Cotton-Cashew Council is ambitious and is aiming for 50% by 2025. This will also mean more exports, and more added value for Côte d'Ivoire and also more jobs.

The sector indeed requires a lot of manpower despite the automation of work chains.

new markets

Most of the production is still exported to Vietnam and India to be processed and sometimes sent to the other side of the world.

By doubling its processing capacity this year, Côte d'Ivoire has succeeded in

.

It has thus exported its cashew kernels to around thirty destinations in 2021.

►Also read: In Côte d'Ivoire, cashew nut manufacturers are worried about foreign competition

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