The Nigerian government has taken immediate steps to maximise and harness the full economic potential inherent in cashew export.Information Guide Nigeria
The Executive Director/Chief Executive, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Dr. Ezra Yakusak, said the potential of the sector remained largely under-developed even though Raw Cashew Nut (RCN) emerged as the 5th leading non-oil exportable product valued at $252 million, and accounted for 5.24 per cent of the country’s non-oil export portfolio in 2022.
Speaking at the launch of the Organic Cashew Certification Programme for Exports, organised by the council in collaboration with NICERT, Valency Limited and PRO-Cashew in Abuja, The NEPC boss said Nigeria remained the 4th leading producer of raw cashew nuts in Africa with about 19 producing states.
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He added, “But sadly, we have not maximized and harnessed the full economic potential inherent in cashew export.”
He empasized that most of the cashew exports are in primary form adding that “export of processed cashew kernel is very low and accounts for about 16 per cent of cashew export”, and mostly the conventional rather than organic certified cashew.
He said, “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. 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.”NYSC Portal
He further assured that a careful and faithful implementation of the project would facilitate a gradual shift in cashew to organic cashew, whose export guarantees niche market and premium pricing.
He said, “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 the necessary support to ensure its effective implementation.”JAMB Result
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