Côte d’Ivoire opens USD 15.8M cashew processing plant

COTE D’IVOIRE – Minister of Trade and Industry, Souleymane Diarrassouba, inaugurated a state-of-the-art cashew processing facility in Attinguié, Côte d’Ivoire, on January 27, 2025.

Built by Singapore-based Valency International at a cost of 24 billion CFA francs (USD 15.8 million), the plant can process 45,000 tons of cashew nuts annually.

“This facility is an important step in the government’s commitment to adding value to our agricultural products,” Diarrassouba said during the inauguration.

The new facility represents a milestone in Côte d’Ivoire’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its cashew processing sector.

As the world’s leading producer of cashew nuts, the country has set an ambitious goal of processing at least half of its harvest domestically by 2030.

To achieve this, the government is encouraging private investment to expand industrial capacity and reduce the export of raw nuts.

The launch follows a record-breaking year for the Ivorian cashew industry. In 2024, local processors handled 344,000 tons of nuts, securing Côte d’Ivoire’s position as the world’s third-largest cashew processor behind Vietnam and India.

The Attinguié plant is one of several new facilities expected to contribute to the sector’s growth. In 2024, companies such as Ecocajou and Pan African Agro Commodities (PAAC) began operations, adding thousands of tons to the country’s processing capacity.

This momentum is set to continue, with government forecasts predicting that 400,000 tons of cashews—nearly 35% of the anticipated 1.15 million-ton harvest—will be processed locally in 2025.

The government has also implemented measures to support local processors, including an exclusive purchasing period from January 24 to March 15, 2025, granting them priority access to raw cashew nuts before exporters.

Recent investments underline the sector’s potential. During the Cashew Sector Investment Forum in September, Côte d’Ivoire’s Cotton and Cashew Council secured USD 28 million in commitments from three foreign companies.

In November, an agreement with Emirati firm Rosyson pledged $24 million for a facility capable of processing 60,000 tons annually.

“These projects reflect our dedication to creating value and jobs within Côte d’Ivoire,” said a Cotton and Cashew Council spokesperson.

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