Madagascar has set an ambitious goal to become one of the top 10 global cashew nut exporters by 2025. The country is being aided by international NGO Nitidae in this endeavor. The project, dubbed Madanaca, was launched in 2020 and is currently in its second phase with a budget of 500,000 euros over two years. This initiative is part of a larger program aimed at developing agricultural and forest value chains to improve the livelihoods of households in the Diana, Boeny, and Atsimo Andrefana regions.
The cashew nut sector in Madagascar appears to be gaining momentum. The country's production is mainly concentrated in the Diana region, particularly in the Ambilobe district, which accounts for more than half of the national production. The German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is also heavily involved in the project through the Program for Sustainable Resource Management (Pages). The cashew nut, a valuable product, is highly prized in Europe, Asia, and South America for its kernel and oil.
According to Christian Olivier Mahefa, coordinator of the project, Madagascar has the potential to become a major player in the global cashew nut market. In 2021, the country exported 10,000 tons of raw cashew nuts, a significant figure considering that the production comes from old plantations dating back to the 1970s and 1980s and is cultivated using traditional methods. The Madanaca project aims to increase production and export to 12,000 tons by 2025, thereby enabling Madagascar to rank among the top 10 global exporters.
The country's cashew nut sector has faced challenges in the past, with various attempts to revive it dating back to 1968. However, it was not until 2020 that a concerted effort was made to develop the sector. The Madanaca project has already led to the allocation of 500 hectares of land in the Ambilobe district and is using more advanced production, processing, and marketing techniques. The project's goal is to increase the area under cultivation and improve yields.
The global demand for cashew nuts is on the rise, with India, in particular, showing interest in Madagascar's production. In 2021, 4,800 tons of raw cashew nuts were harvested in the Diana region, mainly exported to India, Europe, Thailand, and China. However, Madagascar's products currently do not meet international standards, with issues related to size and quality. The project is working to address these challenges by providing training and support to farmers.
The global cashew nut market is expected to reach $7 billion by 2025, with Africa accounting for more than half of the production. The market has experienced a slight decline due to the closure of processing factories, but experts predict a rebound. The prices of cashew nuts vary from country to country, with Malagasy farmers selling raw cashew nuts between 3,000 and 5,000 ariary per kilogram.
Nitidae, the international NGO supporting the Madanaca project, has extensive experience in the cashew nut sector, particularly in Côte d'Ivoire. The organization aims to preserve the environment and strengthen local economies. With its technical expertise, Nitidae is helping Madagascar develop its cashew nut sector and increase its exports. The project's success will depend on the country's ability to meet international standards and capitalize on the growing demand for cashew nuts.
Key points
- Madagascar aims to export 12,000 tons of cashew nuts by 2025.
- The country has the potential to become one of the top 10 global cashew nut exporters.
- The Madanaca project has a budget of 500,000 euros over two years to support the development of the cashew nut sector.
