Edible Nuts Benin and Côte d'Ivoire

Benin and Côte d'Ivoire are among the top producers of raw cashew nuts (RCN) in the world. Cashew nut production is an important source of income for people in both countries. Currently, Côte d'Ivoire is transitioning from producing and exporting in-shell cashew nuts to producing market-ready cashew nut kernels. Still, the cashew nut processing sector in Côte d'Ivoire is relatively small, and only about 10% of raw cashew nuts (RCN) is processed locally. In Benin, RCN production accounts for 25% of the country's total exports. 

The demand for cashew kernels in the European Union (EU) market is increasing by around 6% per year. So, the edible nuts sector in Benin and Côte d'Ivoire has potential. In 2019, the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) started the Edible Nuts Benin and Côte d'Ivoire project. The project aims to help companies in Benin and Côte d'Ivoire process and export cashew kernels to Europe. As part of this project, CBI helps participating companies create an export marketing plan. CBI also helps participating companies improve their corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and sustainability in the supply chain. 

Project goals 

This project aims to increase the export of cashew kernels from Benin and Côte d'Ivoire to Europe. To reach this goal, CBI focuses on 3 areas: 

• Preparing to export;
• Building and maintaining a network in the European market;
• Developing a stronger export-enabling environment in Côte d'Ivoire. 

CBI also supports the improvement of export trade services and information services in the edible nuts sector in Benin and Côte d'Ivoire. 

Project participants and products

9 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are taking part in this export coaching project; 3 from Benin and 6 from Côte d'Ivoire. 

Benin

Côte d'Ivoire 

Contact CBI to find out more or contact these exporters.

Partners

CBI actively works with other partners to develop the cashew sector in Benin and Côte d'Ivoire. For this project, CBI works with:

• Conseil du Coton et de l’Anacarde, a government agency working with the Côte d'Ivoire Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry; 
• Association of Cashew Processors of Côte d'Ivoire;
• Conseil National des Exportations, an agency established by the Côte d'Ivoire Ministry of Commerce, Industry and SME Promotion to support the implementation of the National Export Strategy.

Activities

During the project, we help the participating companies:

• Improve CSR standards;
• Participate in European trade fairs and other networking events;
• Develop a specific European market strategy;
• Get the certifications they need. 

Results 

So far, we have held 3 CSR workshops, increasing awareness of CSR among participating SMEs and project partners. We have also helped increase awareness of the EU market potential for cashews and the requirements. 

Besides this, participants took part in an online match-making event and connected with European companies. Some also took part in the 2022 SIAL trade fair in Paris. This resulted in new business contacts and potential customers.