Ivory Coast aims to process more of its own crop for sale in the huge American market. — AFP picABIDJAN , May 30 — From a “triangular trade” that sees its nuts shelled in Asia before being shipped to the US, top cashew producer Ivory Coast aims to process more of its own crop for sale in the huge American market.
“The American market is worth 40 per cent of world capacity, but accounts for just one per cent of imports of Ivorian nuts,” added the Maryand-based entrepreneur.“There is no cause for concern about the cashew market in the USA. We love it. Ivorian cashew is the best,” Association of Food Industries president Bob Bauer told AFP, promising the group would “help” producers.
A first tranche of 15 processing units is to be certified under the US Food Safety Modernisation Act .Cotton-Cashew Council director Coulibaly believes the country has a shot at becoming the “top producer of raw cashew nuts among the world leaders,” and hopes that food safety improvements will allow for “a 100 per cent Ivory Coast certification”.