Abasiofon Udo
Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) is produced in about 19 states in Nigeria, including Enugu, Imo, Niger, Oyo, and Benue with approximately 600,000 surviving cashew trees spread across the country.
Nigeria is the sixth-largest producer of cashew nuts in the world. The country can process 25,000 – 35,000 tonnes of cashew annually.
However, she is currently utilizing only about one-third of the processing capacity.
Cashew farming contributes about ₦24 billion annually to Nigeria’s GDP and increases foreign revenue.
It also offers a vital source of income and employment for more than 600,000 people ranging from farmers to traders, processors, and exporters.
Nigeria harvests 200,000 to 240,000 metric tons of raw cashew nuts annually; 85% of which is exported.
Nigeria primarily exports raw cashews to Vietnam and India. These countries process the raw cashews into various consumer products such as butter, food, and cosmetics.
The future of Nigeria’s cashew industry shimmers with possibilities. Expanding processing capacity, diversifying export destinations, and investing in innovative value-added products could unlock a new era of prosperity for farmers, entrepreneurs, and the nation as a whole. The cashew’s journey, from sun-drenched Nigerian branches to global supermarket shelves,
