Ivory Coast Leads Global Cashew Production

Ivory Coast has overtaken India to become the world's biggest exporter of cashew nuts.

This development will bolster President Alassane Ouattara's efforts to have 100 percent of the cashew nuts produced in the Ivory Coast processed internally by 2020.

The attainment of these goals could mean more jobs and money flowing into the Ivorian economy.

Ivory Coast is also the world's leading producer of cocoa. The country was recently ranked as the  preferred destination for investors in Africa .

This trade boost for the Ivory Coast comes a few months after Ghana's Ministry of Trade and Industry  suspended a ban  it had placed on exportation of raw cashew nuts after it received intense bashing from Parliament.

Minister of Trade, Ekwow Spio Garbrah, said the decision to suspend the ban was mainly influenced by the view that the timing for the move was wrong.

The Ministry earlier explained that the directive banning the cashew nuts exports was an attempt to improve the local processing sector.

This ban however  infuriated MPs  and some cashew nut farmers who mounted intense pressure on the Ministry to rescind its decision.

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Despite the Trade Ministry's decision to retreat, it said it will soon put in place some measures to streamline the cashew industry.

Cashew Board
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate for the 2016 general elections, Nana Akufo-Addo has reiterated his commitment to boosting agriculture with a promise to transform the cashew sector into a major cash crop and foreign exchange earner should he become President.

Nana Addo promised, among others, to establish a Cashew Marketing Board to regulate the industry just as it is done for cocoa to give farmers the best prices in order to improve their livelihood.

Nana Addo's promise comes at a time when cashew farmers are unhappy with government over a decision by the Trade Ministry to place a  temporary ban  on the exportation of cashew nuts.

He was speaking during a courtesy call on the chiefs and people of Suma Ahenkro in the Jaman North constituency of the Brong Ahafo Region who celebrated the Akwantu Kese festival.

–Citifmonline