The West African Pearl

Production activities / Commercialization Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May. Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

Production of seedlings

Planting

Management / Maintenance of plants

Harvest

Opening of sales campaign

Export

Periods

Calendar Calendar of production and commercialization of cashew nuts in Benin

Harvesting cashew begins in January; the sales campaign begins in March. The first exports are carried out thereafter starting from April.

Forecast production of cashew nuts in Benin in 2025 (tonnes)

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I The trend in cashew production in Benin over the last 20 years underlines its strong growth potential. According to forecasts and based on present trends, Benin cashew

production will register a growth rate of 55% between 2015 and 2025.This projected growth offers significant opportunity to industry players and their current and future partners: rapid return on investment, increased cashew trade, diversification of trading partners and processing activities, etc.

For more information on the cashew nut sector in Benin, please contact:

Promotion Agency of Investments and Exports (APIEX)

Tel: (+229) 21 31 86 50Fax: (+229) 21 31 86 59E-mail: apiexmail@yahoo.fr

For more information on cashew transformers in Benin, please contact:

National Cashew Processors Council (CNTC)

Tel: (+229) 97 89 81 20E-mail: nadetcompagnie@gmail.com

For more information on cashew exporters in Benin, please contact:

National Cashew Exporters Council (CoNEC)

Tel: (+229) 97 97 92 55E-mail: leopoldgbenou@gmail.com;contact@conecbenin.org

Cashew Nuts of Benin

History of cashew in Benin Introduced in Benin in 1960, cashew was originally used for combatting desertification. However, the growing revenues from cashews over several decades increased participation in the sector.

A growing sectorIn Benin, the sector’s importance has significantly grown in recent years, in particular from the late 1990s. Over 75% of cashew plantations are less than 10 years in age. Cashew plantations cover more than 190 000 hectares spread over the national territory. In 2014, production was evaluated at 94 275 tonnes; for 2015, production is estimated to have been 124 000 tonnes, even in an unfavourable climate which prevented trees to provide a full harvest.The sector has brought significant income to the local, regional and national economies: cashew exports represent 25% of total agricultural exports and 8% of national export income.

is the number of producers including members of umbrella organisations (associations, cooperatives, etc.).

200,000

Almost all cashew plantations are owned by small individual producers. State owned plantations made during the 1960s and 1970s by the National Society for Forestry Development represent 3 000 of the 19 000 cultivated hectares.

Cashew nuts from Benin: An exceptional productCashews produced in Benin are reputed for their excellent quality. This is due to:

• An eco-friendly production environment

The population of Benin is committed to the maintenance of the environment and sustainable production methods.

• Almost total-absence of chemical inputs

The use of chemical inputs (fertilizer, pesticides) for the cultivation of cashew in Benin is rare. Some phytosanitary treatment based on insecticides and fungicides are used and are the result of inputs applied to the surrounding crops (e.g. cotton cultivation).

• Optimal climate

Cashew production in Benin is mainly conducted in the northern part of the country, where soil, climatic and geomorphological conditions are more favourable to the cultivation of cashews.

A qualitative positioningIn West Africa, Benin is among the countries producing the best quality of cashews. The varieties of cashew nuts produced in Benin are as follows:

a) Best varieties: KoR varies from 48 to 51This superior quality is found early in the campaign (March to May); the number of nuts per kilogram varies from 80 to 90.

b) Normal varieties: KoR varies from 45 to 48This quality is found during the rest of the campaign; the number of nuts per kilogram varies from 100 to 140.

C) Other varieties: KoR varies from 43 to 45This variety is also found during the rest of the campaign; the number of nuts per kilogram varies from 170 and 190.

Nutritional ValuesCashew nuts of Benin are rich in iron and vitamin C. The composition of 100 grams is as follows:

Source: Chemical analysis of the international centre for eco integrated development, Benin 2001

Production Table of production trends over 5 years.

Source: African Cashew Initiative (ACI) and MAEP

ExportationTable of export trends of raw cashew nuts over 5 years.Exports exceed domestic production because of imports from neighbouring countries.

Source: Port of Cotonou

Transformation Transformation of cashew nuts is conducted by dozens of facilities with capacities ranging from 500 to 3,500 tonnes a year . Processed cashew nuts represent about 10% of the total production.Table of transformation trends over 5 years.

Source: National Centre for Cashew Processors

Key statistics and figures

Nutrients per 100 grams of edible portion

Energy (kcal) Protein (gr) Lipids (gr) Calcium (mg) Iron (mg) Vitamin C (mg)

542,00 17,40 43,40 76,00 18,00 7,00

Years 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 (Estimated)

Production 112 241 131 928 120 000 94 275 124 000(tonnes)

Years 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Export 133 596 149 703 148 800 113 130 NA(tonnes)

Years 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Transformation 8 979 10 554 9 600 7 542 8 500(tonnes)

Cartography of KoR (Kernel Output Ratio) for the 2011 campaign, conducted in Benin

Source: African Cashew Initiative (ACI), Benin: Results sheet N° 003/2011; (Author: André M. Tandjiékpon)

KOR Index

47-48 lbs

48-49 lbs

49-50 lbs

50 lbs and more

The quality of nuts marketed in Benin during the 2011 harvest was studied by ACI through KoR analysis.The average KoR of the entire studied sample in 2011 is 48, 63 Ibs, which shows that the quality of Benin nuts is very good compared to international standards, generally ranging between 40 and 50 Ibs / 80 kg.