Senegal: Challenges linked to cashew supply / stakeholders in the sector concerned
In Senegal, the cashew sector is facing a number of difficulties, including issues with access to financing and low production this year. Gathered on the occasion of the second edition of Cashew Day in Ziguinchor (south), stakeholders in this sector expressed their concerns about these challenges as the cashew nut marketing campaign has just been launched.
A combination of factors could jeopardize the smooth progress of this year’s cashew marketing campaign. Among the major obstacles are difficulties in accessing financing and the low production this year. This situation is worrisome for stakeholders in the sector.
« We are in a year where production is not meeting expectations. The organization of the sector is problematic. There is no clear policy on marketing, which raises real concerns among us, the stakeholders », said Boubacar Konta, president of the Cashew Interprofessional Association of Senegal.
According to the Sud Quotidien newspaper, one of the main concerns is the potentially unsustainable price for local processors, who may face difficulties in sourcing cashews. Mr. Konta is calling for government intervention to help these processors maintain their activities and create local added value.
The situation is all the more urgent considering the figures from the previous year, with 160.000 tons of cashews exported for a value of over 95 billion CFA francs. Stakeholders in the sector are thus calling for regulation of the sector and for conferences on cashew marketing, as well as on the allocation of permits. They emphasize that thousands of jobs and economic opportunities could be lost if appropriate measures are not taken quickly.
Faced with these challenges, stakeholders in the sector are calling for better organization on the part of the government, with a clear and strong policy to support the cashew sector. The issue of cashew nut transportation is also raised, as well as the need to regulate the sector to ensure its sustainability and development.
