The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has disclosed that the country exported USD 252 million worth of raw cashew in 2022.
Speaking on Thursday at the launch of the Organic Cashew Certification Program for export in Abuja, the Executive Director of the Council (NEPC), Dr. Ezra Yakusak, said the seb-sector contributed 5 percent of the non-oil export total earnings for the same year.
“As you are all aware, Nigeria is the 4th leading producer of Raw Cashew Nut (RCN) in Africa with about 19 producing states. According to statistical data obtained from the various Pre-shipment Inspection Agents, Raw Cashew Nut was the 5th leading non-oil exportable product in Nigeria in the 2022 Non-Oil Performance Report.
“In the period under review, Nigeria exported 315,677MT of RCN worth USD252m 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”.
He said “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 5-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”.
Yakusak further explained that, “The Council had previously undertaken various technical sessions, provision of inputs and other intervention materials across the Cashew producing states, which are designed to improve the know-how of value chain actors.
“Similarly, under the Export Expansion Facility Programme (EEFP) scheme, the Council trained 200 cashew farmers in Oyo and Kogi States, and also fully paid for the implementation of organic certification for 100 cashew farms.
“I have been informed that we now have improved cashew grafted seedlings promoted by private nurseries established by PRO-Cashew. These polyclonal seedlings are high yielding with a short gestation period of 2-years. I am already considering procuring these seedlings for distribution among cashew farmers subject to required budgetary provisions.
“On this note, I want to express my appreciation to PRO-Cashew, NICERT, Valency and every stakeholder involved in this project. I thank them for their efforts at repositioning the Nigeria cashew sector. I am equally convinced that after the completion of the project, Nigerian cashew would attain its rightful position and be a major contributor to the nation’s export earnings and its GDP” he stated.
The Group Managing Director of NICERT, Mrs Annabal Kamuche said the programme will improve the growth of the cashew industry in Nigeria.
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