CASHEW NUTS is a cash-crop and one of the most highly sought-after agro-export crops exported by cashew nuts suppliers in Nigeria.
Cashew nuts tree is mostly cultivated for its nuts; the raw cashew nuts are gray in color with about 3mm thick shell, embedded in the shell is the edible kernel covered by light brown skin. It is either exported by cashew nuts suppliers in Nigeria as raw cashew nuts, i.e. in-shell or as processed cashew nut kernel in special packaging.
Nigeria is one of the worlds’ largest producers and exporters of cashew nuts to more than 50 countries around the world. Africa as a continent is a large producer and exporter of top quality cashew nut. Asides Nigeria, some other big exporters of cashew nuts in Africa are Tanzania, Ghana, etc.
Raw cashew nuts in Nigeria are mostly exported to India, Vietnam, and China while processed cashew kernel is exported to Europe and America which are the largest consumers in the world.
Cashew nuts are cultivated in over 20 states in Nigeria, some of these states are Oyo, Osun, Edo, Kogi, Kwara, Enugu, Nasarawa, etc…, with the average quality been between 40 to 48 outturns.
It is important to note that some areas in Nigeria produce higher quality cashew nuts than other areas, cashew nuts with outturns ranging from 48 to 53 at the beginning of the harvest.
Some popular areas in Nigeria producing higher quality cashew nuts are Ogbomosho in Oyo state, Auchi in Edo state, some areas in Kogi state, etc…
A raw cashew nut that looks good on the outside may have bad kernel on the inside, the yield of the kernels, percentage of the defective, average size of the nuts and moisture content are used to determine the quality of the nuts which usually determines the price a buyer might offer for any raw cashew nut.
1. Do not harvest or pluck unripe cashew nuts because the kernel may be shriveled or immature. Hence, only mature and ripe cashew nuts should be harvested and this is done daily.
2. Do not let the nuts remain on the ground for more than a day before gathering to avoid long contact with soil moisture, sprouting and deterioration e.g. decay.
3. Sundry the harvested nuts as soon as possible for two or three days depending on the intensity of the sun.
4. Do not expose dry cashew nuts to moisture. This is a major requirement for agricultural commodities.
5. Use only jute bags to bag raw cashew nuts.
6. Do not heap it un-bagged or in plastic containers to avoid deterioration especially if not properly dried.
7. Do not bag it in polypropylene bags.
It is important for exporters to note that cashew nuts meant for export must be thoroughly dry and reasonably free from extraneous matter such as stones, sticks, stalks and other vegetable matter other than cashew nuts.
Total impurities (stones, sticks, stalks and other vegetable matter) shall not exceed 0.5% of 1kg sample analyzed.
170 – 180 ……………….. EXCELLENT
181 – 190 ……………….. VERY GOOD
191 – 200 ……………….. GOOD
201 – 210 ……………….. MIDDLE
211 – 220 ………………. LOW MIDDLE
221 – 230 ………………. LIMIT ACCEPTABLE
ABOVE 230 ………………. POOR.
It is important to note that 170 – 210 nut count is usually the benchmark for exporting raw cashew nuts but some importers may not be willing to buy RCN that is above 200 nut counts.
In Nigeria, the nut count per 1kg sample varies from zone to zone. While zones like Ogbomosho has between 170 and 180/185, Kogi – 190 to 205/210, Ondo – 190 to 205/210, Ilorin – 190 to 205, Lafia/Keffi – 200 to 210, etc.
Exportable quality of cashew nuts in Nigeria shall not be more than 10% moisture. You have to make sure the raw cashew nuts are properly sun-dried and the moisture content must be properly analyzed.
KOR is the quality of good nut we get from 80kg of raw cashew nuts. The count is in pounds per 80kg.
Out-turn simply means a number of usable kernels after de-shelling the nuts. Out-turn is measured in lbs quality in terms of one bag of 80 kg of raw cashew nuts.
48 – 55 EXCELLENT
45 – 47 GOOD
40 – 44 AVERAGE
BELOW 40 – POOR
DEFECTIVE KERNELS – These are diseased or mouldy kernels, it includes all nuts which when cut reveal the presence of fungi growth or a milky patch or a spread of brown or black spot on the split kernel.
This is often caused by high moisture for several days prior to proper dryings, wrong packing, and improper storage.
EMPTY – these are nuts that show an absence of kernel, emptiness or absence of a kernel of useful size. This is probably caused by natural malformation.
IMMATURE/SHRIVELED – shall include all nuts which when cut contain space between the kernel and the shell, shrink or contain kernel that is not fully developed. This is caused by harvesting immature nuts.
SPOTTED – shall include all nuts which show the presence of a black or brown spot on the kernel. This is caused by insect bite at the early stages of the development of the nuts.
INSECT DAMAGE (WEEVILLED) – shall include all cashew nuts which when cut show a state of insect attack or weevilled or presence of bead-like or powdery particles. Poor storage condition is responsible for this.
Carrying out a quality test on cashew nuts like every other agricultural export produce begins with proper sampling. Samples shall be drawn from not less than 30% of the consignment. The sample shall be properly mixed, reduced and from which 1kg sample is drawn for analysis which includes moisture, nut count, defectives and finally KOR.
Cashew is generally cultivated for the raw cashew nuts in Nigeria. Mature cashew trees normally start flowering in late November to December. The fruit matures in 90 – 100 days after flowering. The ripe fruits normally start to drop in late January, the peak fruit collection period is between mid-February and mid-April.
It is important to remember that the excellence and thoroughness of post-harvest handling affect the quality of the product and thus brings a better price to farmers.
IMPORTANT POINT TO NOTE BEFORE HARVESTING – it is important to weed the area under the trees, clean ahead of harvesting. This will facilitate the picking of fruits (apples and nuts).
GUIDE ON CASHEW NUT HARVESTING – collect only the fallen fruits and not the ones hanging on the trees. Only the fallen fruits are ripe and matured to provide good quality of nuts. It is advised to collect fruit at least every 2 -3 days to avoid quality loss.
1. neatly detach the apple completely from the nut, using a nylon thread or sharp knife. The quality of the nut is affected when the apple is not neatly discharged from the nut.
2. Air-dry collected nuts on concrete floors, drying mats or tarpaulins under the sun for a minimum of 2 days.
3. Turn nuts frequently during the drying period to ensure uniform drying.
4. Avoid drying indoors, or on metallic since the quality of the nuts will deteriorate. Well dried nuts produce a rattling sound when turned on the drying floor.
5. Remove and discard immature, diseased, shriveled and damaged nuts along with any foreign matter when drying.
1. Store dried cashew nuts in jute sacks, (not plastic or fertilizer sacks or containers like boxes, buckets, etc).
2. Stitch jute sacks tightly to avoid spillage.
3. Place the sacks on wooden pallets in a dry, well – ventilated leak proof room.
4. Leave a clearance of at least 0.5m between the packed jute sacks and the roof as well as between sacks and walls of the storage room to allow air to circulate.
5. Sell nuts within the same year of harvest to prevent loss of quality.
THE MOST COMMON SPECIFICATIONS YOU WILL FIND: Below is the most common specifications for raw cashew nuts you’ll find in Nigeria:
This specification is the most common any international buyer of raw cashew nut will get in Nigeria, with 48-53 out-turn more easily available at the start of the harvest season in February.
Below, we outlined two important ways international buyers of cashew nuts can buy cashew nuts in Nigeria;
International buyers of cashew nuts looking to buy cashew nuts can reach out to trusted and reliable cashew nuts suppliers in Nigeria for supply contracts, this is the most common method for buying cashew nuts in Nigeria.
One advantage of buying cashew nuts from cashew nuts suppliers in Nigeria is that depending on the trade process being used, the cashew nuts buyer can simply only place a Letter of Credit (L/C) so that the cashew nuts exporter in Nigeria can load and ship the cashew nuts to them. Payment is on conditions that the terms on the L/C are met.
i. Through Linkedin
ii. Find reliable direct brokers who represent selling companies.
iii. Use search engines like www.google.com
iv. Attend trade fairs
v. Sign up on international trade platforms
vi. Hire local agents on a commission basis
vii. Contact Gavi Global Resources Ltd – Gavi Global is one of the fastest-growing cashew nuts suppliers in Nigeria and a top commodity trading company with the ability to export agricultural products ranging from cashew nuts to sesame seeds, dry split ginger, black stone flower and much more. You can send an email to sales@gaviglobal.com or call us directly on +2347064956005
Partnering with local cashew nuts suppliers in Nigeria helps international buyers get these commodities at far cheaper prices than they would have previously gotten it, and go on to make far more profits than they would have made.
To achieve this partnership, the local company would need to first get some certifications and permit which include; Certificate of Registration of Company with Foreign Participation, from the Nigerian Investments Promotion Council (NIPC), certificate of capital importation (CCI), to serve as evidence that the investor’s funds have been brought to Nigeria, and also obtain a business permit from the Federal Ministry of the Interior (FMI), after showing proof that the foreign entity has actually invested in the business.
Inasmuch as the international buyer would be in a direct purchase partnership with the local company, the buyer would provide funds to purchase much more quantities than would previously have been possible by the local cashew nuts supplier in Nigeria, and so, both organizations can profit with each other playing their respective roles and the banks ensuring all parties interests are protected.
Cashew kernels are roasted cashew nuts. Depending on how they’re roasted, they have varying classes and in some cases can cost as high as $10,000 per metric tonne.
Forasmuch as Nigeria is a major producer of raw cashew nuts, the country exports very little cashew kernels as there are few cashew kernels processing facilities in Nigeria.
Most of these processing facilities sell locally to supermarkets, branding their own products, while some try to export at ridiculously high prices.
International buyers looking to buy cashew kernels in Nigeria from local producers may need to either find a processor in a rural community, which is very hard to find or could partner with a local company to set up a cashew kernel processing facility in Nigeria. Buy raw cashew nuts at the lowest possible local price, process the cashew nuts to cashew kernels, and then export to the exit buyer.
When a local cashew kernel processing facility is set up in Nigeria, the profit margins increase for the international buyer because the first step of shipping and reprocessing are cut off already, and now, the product can be exported directly to the real exit buyer in a different country for a higher profit margin.
Another way to profit from the cashew kernel processing business is to establish processing facilities in Nigeria and profit from processing for local companies looking to export cashew kernels from Nigeria to international buyers. This way, the cashew kernel processing facility will always be in use and generating profit at all times.
The first step in your journey to becoming a cashew nuts supplier is to register your limited liability company with the corporate affairs commission (CAC).
It is impossible for cashew nuts suppliers in Nigeria to export cashew nuts without a duly registered limited liability company. The Nigerian Export Promotion Council and any local association regulating the supply and export of Cashew Nuts will only give a license to organizations that are registered limited liability companies with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria.
International investors can also start up their own cashew nuts export business by first visiting the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) or invest in a local cashew nuts supplier in Nigeria to be able to get cashew nuts at a far lower price than others would have gotten.
The next step is to source for direct farms, processing or buying centers that you can procure cashew nuts from at the lowest costs for your prospective international buyers or international buyers.
To be a successful cashew nuts supplier in Nigeria, one must have direct access to either farmers of cashew nuts, buying centers, or processing centers, so they can always get cashew nuts and cashew kernels at the best possible price.
In order to attract international buyers, you need to set up a company of global standard and look internationally reputable. This involves registering with Corporate affairs commission as stated earlier, building a global standard website that covers everything you do including your transaction process and trade specifications for clarity purposes and transparency. A registered office address is very important too, create a corporate profile and brochure of your products.
Finally, set up a corporate email that has your website domain as its extension. Your corporate email should be like this “yourname@yourcompanywebsite.com”.
Setting up and organizing your company in a professional way like this will make international buyers feel very confident about transacting with you.
The next step is to look for international buyers for your cashew nuts. You can do this by simply registering on websites like:
And several others…
Building an influential social account on LinkedIn will help you market your Cashew Nuts to a unique business audience who need what you offer.
After an international buyer sends an Irrevocable Corporate Purchase Order (ICPO), and a sales contract is duly agreed upon and signed by both parties, after which the buyer places an LC (letter of credit), you can then proceed to ship the cashew nuts. The shipment could either be done on Free On Board (FOB) or Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) basis. Where FOB means you cover the cost of the goods and every other thing up till shipping point, and CIF means that you cover the cost of everything including insurance and transporting the goods to the buyer’s port of destination.
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What are your thoughts on Cashew Nuts Supply and Export in Nigeria? Let me know by leaving a comment below.
Tags: Business, Department
4 Comments
A rare gold that would yield great economy profits if invested in. Agriculture is the way
Hi Sarah, Thanks so much for the comment and for taking the time to read.
Hello,
Pls, am looking for W320 cashew nuts to purchase locally here. I need 18MT. Can you pls send me price if available.
Looking forward to your kind response.
Kind Regards,
Franklyn
Hi Franklyn, Thanks for reaching out to us, we currently only export raw cashew nuts, but you can send an email to us, we will do well to notify you as soon as we commence our processed cashew nuts supply.