Cashew tree has become a valuable tree around the world. Its extensive cultivation in different countries was unforeseen. Further, commercialization of cashew by-products is expanding quickly.
Ivory Coast Cashew
At present, cashew nuts are doing well in Ivory Coast. The central, north-central, north-western and north-eastern parts of the country are dotted with cashew plantations. Besides, these areas produce at least 80% of the country’s cashew output.
Commercial farming of cashew in Ivory Coast started in the 1960s. But marketing of cashew nuts started picking up in the 1970s. This is after the government formed a state-owned company called SOVANORD to develop domestic and foreign markets for raw cashew nuts and start cashew processing.
Stiff competition from private companies led SOVANORD to cease operations in 1981. From the 1990s, these traders started paying higher prices for raw cashew nuts. Some of the reforms that were introduced in the cashew sector are:
- Improve crop productivity and quality
- Increase revenues of players in the value chain through honest marketing practices and more equitable distribution of income
- Do value addition through local processing
Ivory Coast is in the group of top five exporters of cashew nuts in the world. In 2022, Ivory Coast shipped out close to 330,000 tons of cashew nuts. Although it is a decrease from the previous year, it is another record high volume since 2018.
During the past 10 years, cashew exports from Ivory Coast have enjoyed steady growth. The highest jump in volume was recorded from 2018 to 2019 at over 100%. The peak volume was in the year 2021 at 800,515 tons.
Here is the export volume of cashew nuts from Ivory Coast between 2013 and 2022
Ivory Coast Cashew Nut
Ivory Coast is the largest exporter of cashew nuts in Africa. Apart from that, cashew nut is the second highest agricultural export after cocoa. According to the National Institute of Statistics (INS), it is a major cash crop.
The major destinations for Ivory Coast cashew nuts include:
- Vietnam
- India
- United States (US)
- The Netherlands
- Germany
The other destinations are:
- Italy
- Austria
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Ivory Coast takes cashew nuts abroad through its main sea port. Cashew nuts leave the country as sea freight by way of Port of Abidjan. This sea port has a modern container terminal.
The other exit point in Ivory Coast is its main airport. Cashew nuts leave the country as air freight by way of Abidjan International Airport. This airport has a huge cargo terminal. Yet, this is only for processed cashew nuts.
Ivory Coast Cashew Exporters
The government of Ivory Coast regulates the export of cashew nuts primarily through the Cotton and Cashew Council (CCA). This body ensures that Ivory Coast cashews sold in markets abroad are of superior quality. While the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development controls the production of cashew nuts, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and SME Promotion controls its exportation.
Cashew nuts exporters in Ivory Coast must meet the following requirements:
- They must be registered by CCA
- Have a phytosanitary certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture
- Have a proforma invoice
- Have a commercial invoice
- Have a packing list
- Have a Certificate of Origin from the Ivory Coast Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Have a Bill of Lading (shipping agency) or Air Way Bill (airline)
Ivory Coast Cashew Nut Suppliers
Here is a top exporter of Ivory Coast 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 Ivory Coast cashews. We give competitive pricing to our customers and guarantee reliable delivery time.