Côte d’Ivoire secures US$50 million to boost cashew sector ahead of 2025 harvest
Funding will support local buyers and cooperatives as cashew production is set to rise by 20%.
COTE D’IVOIRE – The Cotton and Cashew Council (CCA) has signed credit agreements worth 30 billion CFA francs (US$50 million) with Coris Bank International and Bridge Bank Côte d’Ivoire to support the 2025 marketing campaign.
Each bank will provide 15 billion CFA francs (US$24 million) to help cooperative societies and approved buyers purchase raw cashew nuts from producers. The announcement was made following meetings held in Abidjan on April 3 and 4.
Speaking to local media outlet Abidjan.net on April 5, CCA Director General Mamadou Berté emphasized the importance of this support. “It’s also fundamental because it will help stabilize prices. It is a strategic partnership that is decisive for the sustainability of this sector. For us, this financing will create serenity in our marketing campaigns,” he said.
Cashew nuts are the country’s third-largest agricultural export, after cocoa and natural rubber. The sector is expecting a 20% jump in production in 2025, with forecasts pointing to a harvest of 1.15 million tonnes — up from 944,667 tonnes in 2024. This growth follows a difficult previous season that saw a 23% decline in yield.
Farmers are already seeing benefits beyond production levels. In January, the government raised the field-side price for raw cashew nuts to 425 CFA francs (US$0.66) per kilogram, a 54.5% increase from last year’s rate of 275 CFA francs (US$0.43).
“The new pricing structure is a clear step towards enhancing the livelihoods of our farmers and making the sector more appealing,” said Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food Production, during the launch of the marketing campaign earlier this year.
Côte d’Ivoire remains the world’s top cashew producer and aims to shift more of its output toward local processing. In 2025, authorities plan to supply 400,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts to domestic processors — up 16.3% from 2024. However, this will still only cover about 34.7% of the total expected harvest.
To help close this gap, the CCA has formed partnerships with international firms, including a recent agreement with Emirati company Rosyson signed in November 2024. The aim is to expand processing capacity and increase the value of exports.
According to the General Directorate of Customs, cashew and cotton exports brought in 752 billion CFA francs ($1.25 billion) in 2023, with cashew nuts alone contributing 84% of that income.
As the 2025 season approaches, the new funding is expected to provide stability and confidence in a sector that supports thousands of farming families across Côte d’Ivoire.
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