The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) said the country exported USD252 million worth of raw cashew in 2022.
Speaking on Thursday at the launch of the Organic Cashew Certification Program for export in Abuja, NEPC Executive Director of the Council, Ezra Yakusak, said the sub-sector contributed five per cent of Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings for the year.
“As you are all aware, Nigeria is the fourth leading producer of raw cashew nut in Africa with about 19 producing states. According to statistical data obtained from the various pre-shipment inspection agents, raw cashew nut was the fifth leading non-oil exportable product in Nigeria in the 2022 non-oil performance report.
“Nigeria exported 315,677MT of raw cashew nut worth USD252 million in 2022, which accounts for 5.24% of Nigeria’s non-oil export portfolio. But sadly, we have not maximized and harnessed the full economic potential inherent in cashew export.
“Nigeria’s cashew export trade is largely hampered by non-adherence to food safety standards, lack of traceability, low yield per hectare, poor practices, ageing trees etc, and most of our cashew exports are in primary form. Export of processed cashew kernel is very low and accounts for about 16% of cashew export. Also the primary cashew produce export is mostly the conventional and not organic certified cashew.
“It is based on the foregoing that we felt the need to collaborate and chart a pathway with deliberate and planned activities to address the issues plaguing the Nigerian cashew sector. That is why this initiative sponsored by the PRO-Cashew through CNFA which is a five-year project funded by the USDA is timely and welcomed.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, may I stress that the aim of this project is to support the Nigeria cashew sector and increase cashew productivity and efficiency, improve crop quality, and improve harvest and post-harvest techniques among others. May I emphasize that a careful and faithful implementation of this project will facilitate a gradual shift from conventional cashew to organic cashew, whose export guarantees niche market and premium pricing. It will also increase productivity, improve harvest and post-harvest practices, ensure adherence to best practices, ensure traceability and enhance competitiveness.
“The council is therefore committed to this project and ready to provide necessary support to ensure its effective implementation. May I inform you that this is not the first time the council is making such intervention in the cashew sector,” he said.
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