Cashew nuts are loved all over the world because they are high in vitamins A, D, E, fats, and proteins. They can also be consumed in many ways, including as a processed drink, a snack, and cheese or butter that can be used in a range of recipes.
Guinea Cashew
Guinea is one country that is thriving in cashew cultivation due to its perfect soil and favorable conditions for the growth of cashew trees.
Because of its broad root system, the cashew plant can adapt to different types of soil types, but deep well-drained sandy loam produces the greatest results. Cashew nuts require 3 to 5 years to mature and begin fruiting, and harvesting can go for up to 50 years.
There are two main types of cashew trees in Guinea: the red cashew (caju-di-terra) and the yellow cashew (caju-di-Moambique).
The red cashew produces smaller nuts, weighing around 3-4 grams each, with a sweet juice apple that is often used to make juice and fermented beverages. The yellow cashew, on the other hand, produces larger nuts that weigh around 6-8 grams each.
Sun drying is the final stage of cashew nut harvesting in Guinea, where the cashew nuts are spread out on a clean surface and left in the sun to dry uniformly. When the nuts are entirely dry, they are ready to be shelled and processed.
Drying is vital because it keeps the nuts from decaying by reducing their moisture content, making them easy to store and transport.
After the kernels have been removed from the shells and assessed according to size and quality, they are packed into bags or boxes and ready for export.
In 2022, Guinea shipped out over 79,000 tons of cashew nuts. This is a high increase from 2021 when the country shipped out 49,589 tons of cashew nuts.
During the past 10 years, cashew exports from Guinea have had a steady growth. The highest jump in volume was recorded between 2015 and 2016 at 66%. The peak volume was in the year 2016 at 87,091 tons.
Here is the export volume of cashew nuts from Guinea between 2013 and 2022.
Cashew Nuts in Guinea
According to international standards, Guinea cashew nuts are classed by size, quality, and color. This classification is essential for pricing and assessing the nuts’ suitability for various markets and uses.
The most popular grading method includes grades such as W180, W210, W240, W320, and W450, where the number represents the number of cashew kernels per pound.
The nuts can be white, yellow, or brown while their look, flavor, and texture determine their quality. The nuts are then packed in bags or boxes made of materials that protect against moisture, pests, and physical damage.
The major destinations for Guinea cashew nuts include:
- India
- Vietnam
- Turkey
- United Kingdom (UK)
- Switzerland
The other destinations are:
- Mauritius
- France
- Belgium
Cashew nuts from Guinea are exported by sea. The nuts are shipped in containers from the port of Conakry to ports in the importing countries. The shipping time from Conakry to major ports in Asia takes around 30-40 days.
Cashew nuts from Guinea are also sometimes exported by air. The choice of transportation method depends on the size of the shipment, the destination of the shipment, and the budget.
Cashew Nuts Exporters in Guinea
The government of Guinea regulates the export of cashew nuts primarily through the National Cashew Nut Council of Guinea (CNCG).
It’s responsible for overseeing the production, processing, and export of cashew nuts in Guinea and representing the interests of cashew nut growers, processors, and exporters.
The Ministry of Commerce is responsible for developing and implementing policies that promote the growth of the cashew nut industry in Guinea. It also works to ensure that cashew nuts are exported fairly and transparently.
Here is a top exporter of Guinea 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 cashewexporter of Guinea. We give competitive pricing to our customers and guarantee reliable delivery time.