Cashew nuts are the only nuts that grow outside of the fruit and the cashew apple is the swollen stalk of the nut. The cashew apple is edible, but it is not as popular as the nut itself.
Cashew nuts have been shown to have a number of health benefits, including reducing cholesterol levels, improving blood sugar control, and boosting the immune system.
Next time you are looking for a healthy and delicious snack, reach for a handful of cashew nuts!
Gambia Cashew
Gambia is a small country in West Africa well known for its beautiful beaches, tropical climate, friendly people, and cashew nuts farming which provides a source of income for many farmers.
With a tropical climate, a wet season from June to October and a dry season from November to May, Gambia’s soils are generally sandy and well-drained, making them suitable for cashew farming.
Cashew trees are grown in nurseries before being transplanted to the field when they are around six months old. In Gambia, cashew trees are often intercropped with groundnuts, maize, or millet.
The cashew trees start producing nuts after three to five years and the harvesting season in Gambia is from February to April.
Cashew farming in Gambia provides a consistent source of income for smallholder farmers, particularly in rural areas where the sale of cashew nuts contributes to household income.
It generates employment opportunities, particularly during harvesting and processing seasons, which benefits both rural and urban communities.
After the harvest, Gambia exports cashew nuts to overseas markets such as India, Vietnam, and the United States.
In 2022, Gambia shipped out over 21,000 tons of cashew nuts. This is a slight increase from 2021 when the country shipped out 20,733 tons of cashew nuts.
During the past 10 years, cashew exports from Gambia have had a steady growth. The highest jump in volume was recorded between 2018 and 2019 at 37%. The peak volume was in the year 2013 at 38,616 tons.
Here is the export volume of cashew nuts from Gambia between 2013 and 2022.
Cashew Nuts in Gambia
Gambia’s cashew nut exports have grown greatly over the years, making the country’s agricultural sector’s outstanding success story.
With a strict adherence to quality standards, Gambia has emerged as a reliable and consistent supplier of cashew nuts.
The export of cashew nuts has boosted Gambia’s economy while also playing a crucial role in improving livelihoods by reducing poverty and improving socioeconomic conditions in these communities, hence increasing the overall well-being of the community.
The major destinations for Gambia cashew nuts include:
- India
- Vietnam
- Turkey
- United Kingdom (UK)
- China
The other destinations are:
- Netherlands
- The United States (US)
- Israel
Cashew nuts from Gambia are exported by sea to other overseas countries. The nuts are packaged in 25kg or 50kg bags before they’re loaded into shipping containers. The containers are then carried to the port of Banjul, where they are loaded onto ships and shipped to their final destinations.
For smaller shipments or to countries that are further away, cashew nuts are packaged in cardboard boxes or wooden crates for export by air.
Cashew nuts can also be shipped by land to neighboring countries such as Senegal and Guinea-Bissau in bags or crates.
Cashew Nuts Exporters in Gambia
The government of Gambia regulates the export of cashew nuts primarily through the Gambia Groundnut Corporation (GGC), which is overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture. The GGC is in charge of purchasing, selling, and exporting cashew nuts, as well as other agricultural products such as groundnuts (peanuts).
It is vital to ensure that Gambian agricultural exports satisfy quality and regulatory standards and supervise the export process to international markets.
Here is a top exporter of Gambia cashews.
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 cashew nuts exporter of Gambia. We give competitive pricing to our customers and guarantee reliable delivery time.