TANZANIA – In the first seven weeks of Tanzania’s 2024/2025 cashew season, cashew farmers have already earned Tsh879.699 billion (US$330.2M), thanks to a stronger trading environment and the government’s decision to designate Mtwara Port as the export gateway for cashew shipments.
This strategic move aims to simplify export processes and improve farmers’ earnings by eliminating intermediaries.
The Cashewnut Board of Tanzania (CBT) Director General Francis Alfred highlighted the season’s promising start, with production and sales of cashews reaching 261,797 tonnes, valued at Tsh999 billion (US$375.3M).
Alfred expressed confidence in surpassing last season’s total production of 310,000 tonnes due to the streamlined export operations through Mtwara Port.
“We expect to surpass last season’s production figures as we continue using Mtwara Port for exports,” Alfred stated. “I visited the port and was satisfied with the availability of vessels to facilitate this season’s exports.”
Higher cashew prices this season are attributed to the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange platform, which has allowed farmers to avoid the middlemen who previously profited at farmers’ expense.
During the first auction organized by the Tandahimba and Newala Cooperative Union (Tanecu) on October 11, approximately 3,857 tonnes of unprocessed cashews were sold at prices ranging from Tsh4,035 (US$1.52) to Tsh4,120 (US$1.55) per kilogram.
The second auction by the Lindi Mwamba Cooperative Union (LMCU) on October 12 saw 6,435 tonnes traded at Tsh3,400 (US$1.28) to Tsh3,865 (US$1.45) per kilogram.
Mtwara Regional Commissioner Patrick Sawala urged traders to expedite the export of purchased cashew nuts through Mtwara Port rather than leaving them in storage.
Sawala emphasized the importance of adhering to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s directive, which aims to benefit farmers, traders, and the nation as a whole
Sawala confirmed that Mtwara Port is prepared to manage up to 500,000 tonnes per season and is operating 24/7 to support the demand.
Mtwara Port Manager Ferdinand Nyathi reported that a Mediterranean Shipping Company vessel currently docked at the port is loading 600 containers, with 11 ships already processed since the season’s start.
Nyathi anticipates that the port’s efficiency will continue to support a seamless export process.
As part of its broader agricultural support, the Tanzanian government recently announced plans to construct four new cashew processing facilities in the southern regions by the 2025/26 season.
These include a facility at the Maranje Industrial Cluster in Mtwara Rural district, two factories in Tandahimba and Newala under the Tanzania National Cashew Cooperative Union (Tanecu), and another by the Tunduru Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Union (TAMCU).
Looking forward, the CBT forecasts a significant increase in raw cashew production, projecting growth from 310,787 tonnes in the 2023/2024 season to an estimated 595,000 tonnes for 2024/2025.
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