Decline in cashew quality pushes price down

The international market has downgraded the quality of Ghanaian cashew, necessitating a price drop in the commodity on the local and global markets.

This phenomenon, according to CEO-Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA), William Agyapong Quaittoo, has consequently influenced the country’s drop – from second position in West Africa in terms of cashew quality to third.

The downgrade, according to Mr. Quaittoo, led to a reduction in the country’s cashew price per tonne from US$1,080 to US$880.

Ideally, high-quality nuts should have a firm, crunchy texture and should not be too soft or mushy. This is because the nut’s texture is an important part of the overall eating experience.

However, this is the situation found across the board in the local cashew market. Most nuts on the market are said to be too soft – a sign of poor storage conditions – and may have lost some of their flavour and nutritional value.

Remedy and mitigation strategies

As part of processes to retrieve quality cashew production and encourage farmers to pursue best practices, government through the TCDA, as a short-term strategy, has set a GH¢7 price per kilo for all cashew purchases across the country.

The price, which is for the 2024 crop season, is a downward review from the GH¢8.5 per kilogramme at which the commodity was sold in the previous year.

Mr. Quaittoo made the announcement at a meeting with cashew farmers and buyers in Bono East Region about the price drop, and said the downward review of price is part of plans to create a market for farmers and producers despite current challenges.

“Per calculations using the current formula, a kilo this year is supposed to be sold at GH¢6.76; but government has decided to round the figure up to GH¢7,” he disclosed.

Other factors for the price drop

The Ghanaian currency’s value, according to the TCDA CEO, also played a significant role in the downward review of price.

However, the Authority maintains there are indications that the price could see an upward adjustment within the first quarter of this year – but only if the quality of cashew improves.

Meanwhile, the TCDA is finalising processes to train farmers and other stakeholders, as well as regulating traders in the cashew industry to improve quality.

Ghana is among the top exporters of cashew in West Africa, with about 350, 000 metric tonnes of Raw Cashew Nut (RCN) expected to be exported in 2024.

Last year, the TCDA confirmed that the World Bank has granted a US$100million facility to boost production and improve the value chains of cashew, coconut and rubber.

The facility is a partnership with government under a six-year funding initiative known as the Tree Crop Diversification Project.