Cashew nuts

At SIAL we are promoting seven cashew exporters from Benin and Côte d'Ivoire: Cilagri, Foodsco, SG Agriculture, STNC, Tolaro Global, ANI, and Nassara. These companies are supported by CBI. 

In 2021, the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) initiated a cashew processing support programme in the West Africa region (specifically in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire) to support the general competitiveness of the cashew processing industry and to contribute to increasing real processed volumes and prepare small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for exporting cashew kernels and for expanding exports to European and other markets.

Diversification and direct sourcing of cashew kernels by buyers presents a big opportunity for West Africa. This could provide more traceability, shorter supply times and possibly lower transport costs for cashew kernels from West Africa.

The cashew sector in West Africa has been growing consistently over the last decade. Local cashew nut processing is a relevant source of jobs in West Africa, generating 80–200 jobs per 1,000 tons of raw cashew nuts depending on the degree of mechanisation. Local processing growth will contribute directly to job creation, especially for young women.