Local cashew processing could generate up to 30,000 new jobs and add $1.2 billion to Nigeria’s export earnings, according to the Anambra Chamber of Primary Growers (ACPG).
On a bustling market floor in Onitsha, a 23‑year‑old farmer named Chinedu sold a sack of raw cashews for about ₦2,800. The same sack, once hulled and roasted locally, could fetch nearly twice that price. That price gap fuels ACPG’s call for a policy shift.
Why does this matter?
Nigeria produces roughly 800,000 metric tonnes of raw cashew kernels annually, yet only about 10 % is processed within the country. Most of the value‑added product leaves for India, Vietnam and Brazil, where processing plants pay higher wages and capture the bulk of profit.
ACPG’s latest briefing warned that the country is losing an estimated $2.5 billion each year by exporting unprocessed nuts. The chamber proposes incentives for small‑scale processors, streamlined licensing, and a “one‑stop” export hub in Lagos.
Who stands to gain?
Rural communities could see a surge in manufacturing jobs. The International Labour Organization estimates that each processing line creates 12 direct jobs and 30 indirect jobs in logistics, equipment maintenance and packaging.
Women, who traditionally handle sorting and drying, would benefit from higher wages and formal employment contracts. “Processing locally means we can finally earn a living wage instead of a marginal daily allowance,” said Adaeze Okonkwo, a cooperative leader in Enugu.
Export revenues would also rise. The World Trade Organization notes that processed cashew kernels command an average price of $3,500 per tonne, compared with $2,000 for raw nuts. Multiplying that premium across Nigeria’s output could lift the nation’s trade balance by 1.3 %.
What happens next?
The federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has promised a policy review by the end of Q4 2026. If approved, tax breaks for investors and a credit line from the Development Bank of Nigeria could fast‑track plant construction.
Critics warn that without strict quality controls, low‑grade processing could damage Nigeria’s reputation in premium markets. Still, ACPG argues that a phased approach—starting with capacity‑building workshops—will ensure compliance.
For consumers, the shift could mean cheaper, locally‑sourced cashew snacks on supermarket shelves, reducing reliance on imported goods and supporting domestic agriculture.
As the debate intensifies, all eyes will be on the upcoming parliamentary hearing. Will Nigeria finally harness its own cashew bounty, or will the raw kernels continue to flow offshore?
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