Comparative Analysis of Cashew Value Chains in Major African Producing Countries

Ponloeu Chhour

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

Cashew nut is one of the most important nuts as the source of food in the world. Cashew is originated plants in native to arid northeastern Brazil. Cashew is the common name indicating to genus Anacardium Occidentale, a fast-growing, drought resistant perennial tree that can rise to a peak of 20m. Cashew is being known through its nut in the world, even though all parts of the tree are valuable. The prospects for cashew plantation are very good due to both domestic and international demand for its products. The top main producer countries are Brazil, India, Mozambique and Tanzania. Both the trees and nuts share many important role, the tree is consider the important tropical tree crop, it is used for reforestation in other to prevent desertification and soil erosion. The wood from the tree can also be used as firewood, charcoal or event used for carpentry. While the nuts is used as a source of vitamins and protein. Cashew nuts are well known for its popularity as human consumption. It ranks second among all nuts after the almond in the international trade. Cashew nut is harvests in nearly all the continents, but cultivated only in certain countries. The cultivation of cashew nut is in Asian countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, India, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, West and East African countries such as Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, and as well the native place Brazil. Cashew that being trade around the world these days are consists of two types, in-shell cashew and cashew kernels (shell remove). The main exports of in-shell cashew are West and East African, India, Vietnam and Brazil. The main exports of cashew kernel are India, Vietnam and Brazil. The major processing centers are in India Vietnam and Brazil. The cashew kernels are mostly export to Europe, USA, China and Australia. In-shell cashew trade is controlled by local and as well the international traders, who purchase the crop both by themselves for onward sale, or on behalf of the processor (Vietnam, India, Brazil). It is very often for traders to apply their funds at the beginning of the harvesting season to local representatives in producing countries to assured the supplies. West African and East Africa countries are the countries that export in-shell cashew the most in the world. Those countries are Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Gambia and others. They export a total of 726, 500 tons (International Trade, 2009). There are three main routes in cashew kernels export. The wholesale of primary- and secondary-processed kernels, which is from producing countries (India, Vietnam, Brazil, Africa and other Asian Countries) are exported to USA, Europe and other consuming markets. Cashew kernels are also re-exporting from Europe and USA to others countries both directly or through final processing and labeling. Moreover, intra-trade in cashew kernels takes place between European Union countries. Vietnam is the most cashew kernels export country about 221,500 tons (equal to 53% of total world export) follow by India 24% (100,600 tons), European Union 10%, Brazil 6% and others (COMTRADE, 2012).

Keywords

Cashew Nut, Major Producing Courtries, African Countries, Value Chain, Originate, Export, Import

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 18. 4. 2019

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Ing. Jiří Hejkrlík, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Bachelor programme / field:
Tropical Agriculture / International Cooperation in Agriculture and Rural Development