Mozambique’s cashew nut industry is experiencing a resurgence, with the current sales campaign in Nampula province, the nation’s cashew heartland, smashing records. Farmers have sold an impressive 94,000 tonnes of nuts, significantly surpassing the initial target of 82,000 tonnes, and contributing substantially to the national goal of 170,000 tonnes.
This remarkable performance, local authorities attribute, is a testament to the combined effect of robust community engagement, strategic investments, and significantly improved prices offered to producers. The Nuts Committee’s decision to set the price at 45.00 meticais per kilogram, a considerable jump from the previous year’s 35.00 meticais, has incentivized farmers and fueled production.
Graciano Francisco, spokesperson for the Council of Representation of Provincial State Services, estimates that the rural economy has seen a substantial injection of capital, with approximately 5.1 billion meticais changing hands, a 64% increase from the 3.1 billion meticais traded during the 2023-24 campaign. The weighted average price achieved in Nampula during this campaign was a healthy 54.35 meticais.
The success story extends beyond domestic sales. Francisco also revealed that 71,000 tonnes of cashew nuts have been exported to international markets, primarily Indonesia and India, generating valuable foreign exchange for Mozambique.
However, the industry’s potential remains partially untapped. Nampula province boasts 15 cashew nut processing units with a combined installed capacity of 74,850 tonnes, but eight of these facilities are currently idle due to financial constraints.
The Nuts Institute of Mozambique plays a critical role in monitoring the domestic market, ensuring fair practices and supporting the livelihoods of over 1.4 million families involved in the cashew nut subsector.
This resurgence marks a significant step towards reclaiming Mozambique’s former glory as a global cashew powerhouse. In the 1972-73 campaign, the country held the title of the world’s largest producer, with sales reaching approximately 216,000 tonnes. However, subsequent years saw a sharp decline in production, plummeting to 18,000 tonnes in 1982-83, due to factors such as poor crop management, pest infestations, ageing cashew trees, and uncontrolled fires.
The current surge in Nampula’s cashew nut sales offers a glimmer of hope for the industry’s revival, signaling a potential return to its former prominence and a boost to Mozambique’s economy.
