The national cashew nut processing industry is recovering from the negative impacts of the drop in almond prices in the international market and from Covid-19 over the past three years.

This improvement is the result of efforts aimed at increasing production and productivity, seen as essential for the sustainability and revitalization of this sector.

This information was shared by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Olegário Banze, during the first almond committee session held in Maputo.

“The national processing industry, with a capacity of 110,000 tons, has been rebuilding and returning to previous growth levels after the setbacks of the last three years,” stated Banze.

Recently, producers and companies in the cashew nut value chain approved new purchase prices for almonds from producers.

In a meeting held in Maputo, producers advocated for a price of 40 meticais per kilogram, opposed to the 30 meticais proposed by the Cashew Industry Association (AICAJU).

Through discussions and consultations, stakeholders in the cashew nut industry established 37 meticais per kilogram as the ideal cost for both parties, respecting the efforts of producers and the sustainability of the companies that purchase the product.

How is the industry in the country?

The cashew nut processing industry is one of the sectors that faced significant constraints due to industrial decline in the country. Apart from the factories that were involved in rubber processing, battery production, and footwear manufacturing, some of these almond processing plants also suffered.

In the city of Xai-Xai, for example, until the mid-2000s, the MOCITA cashew nut processing factory operated in the capital of Gaza province. The factory used to receive over 40,000 tons of almonds.

However, it has been more than 15 years since the factory last operated. The government is now trying to revitalize the national industry, and there is an ongoing study aimed at assessing the industrial situation in the country.

In this process, nearly 8,000 industrial companies from across the country are being covered by the initiative called “General Mapping of the Manufacturing Industry,” which has been developed by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce since July of last year.