Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) is a tropical evergreen tree native to northeastern Brazil. Portuguese explorers introduced cashew to various tropical regions in Asia and Africa, including Nigeria, during the 16th century. Initially, cashew trees were planted in Nigeria primarily for afforestation and erosion control, particularly in the former Eastern Nigeria.
Over time, cashew farming evolved into a significant agricultural activity, contributing to Nigeria’s economy through nut production and export.
Cashew was introduced into Nigeria by Portuguese traders around the 16th century. The first plantings occurred in Agege, Lagos State, and from there, the cultivation spread to other parts of the country.
For over 400 years after its introduction, cashew trees were exploited mainly for their apples, with no commercial value attached to the nuts. Many of the trees flourished in the wild and were utilized for afforestation and erosion control schemes, particularly in the escarpment areas of Udi in Anambra State.
The first commercial cashew planting in Nigeria occurred in the mid-1950s at Oghe, Oji, Udi, and Mbala by the defunct Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation (ENDC), and at Iwo, Eruwa, and Upper Ogun by the defunct Western Nigeria Development Corporation (WNDC).
These plantations were established with introduced Indian cashew varieties. Progress in the cashew industry was initially slow due to general neglect and poor management of the plantations.
With the involvement of private entrepreneurs, federal and state governments, and affluent farmers, more nuts were obtained in 1978, 1980, and 1982 from India, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Brazil to broaden the cashew genetic base of the country.
Today, cashew cultivation has spread to almost all the states of Nigeria, with increased processing, shipping, and exporting activities.
The major cashew-growing areas in Nigeria include Enugu, Abia, Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Cross River States in the east and southern parts; Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, and Ogun States in the western part; Kwara, Kogi, Nassarawa, Benue, Taraba, Niger, Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), Kaduna, and Plateau in the Middle Belt; and Sokoto and Kebbi States in the northwestern part of the country. It is noteworthy that the majority of export-quality nuts come from the western and eastern parts of the country.
Recent Developments in Nigeria’s Cashew Sector
In recent years, Nigeria’s cashew industry has experienced significant developments aimed at boosting production and enhancing the value chain. In January 2024, the federal and Enugu state governments pledged to support large-scale cashew production.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, highlighted the cashew sector’s immense potential to drive economic growth, enhance food security, and promote sustainability. Initiatives such as the distribution of improved seeds and seedlings to farmers and the establishment of cashew cottage industries in some producing states have been implemented to achieve these goals.
As of February 2025, the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) projected a five percent increase in cashew output for the 2024/25 season, attributing this anticipated rise to favorable weather conditions.
Farmers have observed quality fruiting of cashew trees across major producing states and a mild harmattan season that has facilitated optimal flowering. The NCAN President, Ojo Ajanaku, expressed optimism about both the quantity and quality of the nuts for the season.
Despite these positive developments, Nigeria faces challenges in the global cashew market. Cambodia has overtaken Ivory Coast as the top supplier of raw cashew nuts to Vietnam, a major buyer of Nigerian cashews. In 2024, Cambodia exported about 760,000 tons of cashew nuts, earning $971 million—a 39 percent increase from the previous year.
This rising production in Cambodia poses a threat to Nigeria’s cashew exports, as Vietnam may increasingly favor imports from closer and more cost-effective sources.
While Nigeria’s cashew farming sector has a rich history and is experiencing growth due to favorable conditions and government support, it must address emerging challenges in the global market to maintain and enhance its position.
