Cashew tree produces cashew seeds and cashew apples which have multiple uses in various industries. Cashew seed commonly known as cashew nut grows outside the fruit unlike other nuts and seeds.
Cashew nuts are a source of micronutrients which include copper, manganese, iron and zinc. They can be roasted or eaten “raw”; after they are cooked in processing to remove urushiol which is a toxic substance found in the seeds.
Benin Cashew
Cashew nuts are the second major exports in Benin after cotton. The cashew industry has created numerous job opportunities for the citizens of Benin both directly and indirectly.
The introduction of cashew trees to Benin is dated back to the early 20th century. The first trees were planted by a few enterprise farmers who saw the potential they held. News of the tasty cashew found in Benin after the first harvest spread all around and they began exporting in small quantities.
In the 1980s, the government implemented policies to enhance the expansion of cashew cultivation. However, the industry faced a setback in the 1990s which was caused by lack of investment and infrastructure thus hindering further growth.
Some of the reforms that were put in place to revive the industry include:
- Increased support from both the government and private sector.
- Renewed focus on sustainability, quality and social responsibility.
Cashew Nuts in Benin
Benin is ranked among the top cashew-producing nations in the world. In 2022 the country exported close to 33200 tons of cashew nuts. However, it is a decrease from the previous year.
Cashew exports from Benin have enjoyed a steady growth in the past 10 years. The highest jump in volume was recorded from 2017 to 2018 at over 23%. The peak volume was in the year 2015 at 131,241 tons.
Here is the export volume of cashew nuts from Benin between 2013 and 2022:
The major destinations for the Benin cashew nuts include:
- India
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- China
- Vietnam
- United States (US)
Other destinations include:
- Belgium
- Italy
- Germany
Benin takes cashew nuts abroad through its main sea port. Cashew nuts leave the country as sea freight by way of Port of Cotonou. This sea port has a modern container terminal.
The other exit point in Benin is its main airport. Cashew nuts leave the country as air freight by way of Conou-Cadjehun International Airport. This airport has a huge cargo terminal. Yet, this is only for processed cashew nuts.
Benin Cashew Nuts
Government standards on all products and services are granted by the Benin Agency for Standardization and Meteorological Service and Quality Control Management (ANM). Benin has partnerships such as Glo-Djibe Industrial Zone (GDIZ) which is a public-private partnership that promotes the exports of various products.
Cashew nut exporters in Benin must meet the following requirements:
- Register their business with the appropriate government authorities.
- Obtain a business license to operate as an exporter.
- Get a Tax Identification Number (TIN) for their business.
- Ensure their cashews meet the quality standards required for export.
- Obtain export permits from relevant government authorities.
- Prepare and submit required documentation which may include invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and any other relevant paperwork for custom clearance.
- Adhere to trade regulations and policies regarding cashew exports.
- Ensure that you have the financial capacity to engage in export activities.
The government of Benin has a plan to stop exporting raw cashew nuts by 2024. The project began in the first quarter of the year 2020 and is expected to end in 2024 having implemented the policies. The project is a huge undertaking for the government since at the moment production of processed cashew nuts is quite low.
Benin Raw Cashew Nut Suppliers
Here is a top exporter of Benin cashew
Freshela Exporters
Freshela is a Kenyan based company that engages in the sourcing, processing and exporting of cashew nuts and other fresh produce.
Freshela is a proud exporter of Benin cashews. We give competitive pricing to our customers and guarantee reliable delivery time.