Tanzania's 2021/22 crop yields 240,159 tons of raw cashews

Tanzania, the East African nation, has recently unveiled a remarkable achievement with the production of 240,159 tons of raw cashews in its 2021/22 crop season. This accomplishment holds immense significance, ranging from the health benefits of cashews to the economic impact on Tanzania, and it reverberates globally. The burgeoning cashew industry in Tanzania has instilled optimism among stakeholders, foreseeing promising prospects for the future. These substantial strides in cashew production are poised to not only bolster Tanzania’s economy but also generate increased employment opportunities, fostering overall economic growth. The upswing in raw cashew production stands as a positive indicator, solidifying Tanzania’s position in the global marketplace.

14% Growth in Raw Cashew Production

Tanzania’s cashew production has experienced a notable surge of 14% in the current crop, as reported by Francis Mwakabumbe, the director of the Cashewnut Board of Tanzania (CBT). This remarkable increase is a result of collaborative efforts from the government and various industry stakeholders, who made substantial investments in supporting the country’s cashew farming sector. In the latest season, Tanzania achieved an impressive output of 240,159 tons of raw cashew nuts, showcasing a significant improvement from the previous season’s yield of 206,718 tons. The expansion of cashew growing regions in Tanzania, now numbering 17, has also played a role in this uptick. Among these regions, Mtwara currently emerges as the most productive, contributing over half of the total crop with an impressive 54%.

Francis Mwakabumbe, the director of the Cashewnut Board of Tanzania (CBT), has disclosed that an astounding 70% of Tanzania’s harvested cashew nuts are exported in their raw form to countries such as India and Vietnam. Between January and September 2022, Tanzania exported a total of 208,375 tons of raw cashew nuts, with Vietnam and India being the primary recipients, receiving 112,093 tons and 96,282 tons, respectively. However, Tanzania faces stiff competition from global rivals Côte d’Ivoire and Cambodia, which demonstrated substantial export figures during the same period, with Côte d’Ivoire shipping an impressive 721,831 tons.

This scenario underscores that only 30% of raw cashew nuts are presently processed within Tanzania. Given the country’s abundant resources, including fertile soil and plentiful cashew trees, there is a compelling opportunity to enhance processing capabilities. Doing so would not only create more local jobs and retain wealth within the country but also position Tanzania to meet the growing demand for processed cashew nuts in Western markets. It is anticipated that increased investment in the sector will contribute to developing the necessary infrastructure and capacity to process these valuable exports locally.

More About Cashew Harvest Season in Tanzania

Tanzania, situated in East Africa, is renowned for its expansive wilderness areas. Notable among them are the Serengeti National Park, a safari haven inhabited by the “big five” game—elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino—and Kilimanjaro National Park, housing Africa’s highest mountain. Off the coast, the tropical islands of Zanzibar, influenced by Arabic culture, and Mafia, boasting a marine park with whale sharks and coral reefs, add to the country’s diverse natural wonders.

The overall planted area for cashew nuts in Tanzania’s Mainland reached 695,683 hectares, with approximately 90 percent of this cultivation concentrated in three key regions: Mtwara, Lindi, and Pwani. Mtwara Region took the lead with the largest planted area for cashew nuts at 327,281 hectares, constituting 47.0 percent of the total. Lindi followed with 207,951 hectares, representing 29.9 percent, and Pwani with 91,815 hectares, making up 13.2 percent of the total planted area.