COTE D’IVOIRE – Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has reaffirmed its steadfast dedication to the sustainability of the country’s cashew nut sector, marking the culmination of the National Days of Cashew Exporters of Côte d’Ivoire (JNEC-CI).

As the world’s foremost container shipping enterprise, MSC’s enduring pledge to this vital industry was demonstrated during its active engagement at the fifth edition of the event, held from February 14 to 16, 2023, in Abidjan.

Mrs. Marie-Claude Tiecoura, Head of Export Sales at MSC Côte d’Ivoire, lent the company’s voice to the discourse during a panel discussion held on the second day, themed “Improving the quality of raw cashew nuts: contributions along the value chain.”

Emphasizing the paramount importance of upholding cashew nut quality across the supply chain, Mrs. Tiecoura stressed MSC’s unwavering commitment to this endeavor.

“The quality of cashew nuts is pivotal for sector competitiveness, and at MSC, we are dedicated to collaborating closely with our partners to ensure seamless logistics solutions that adhere to the highest standards,” she asserted.

Moreover, MSC showcased its extensive experience as a preferred transport partner within the cashew nut sector, spotlighting its holistic solutions encompassing transportation and storage, aimed at preserving the quality and integrity of cashew inventories.

The global shipping further pledged ongoing collaboration with industry stakeholders to address challenges and fortify sectoral competitiveness.

Other speakers echoed the imperative of enhancing nut quality through concerted efforts by producers, improvements in packaging, inter-stakeholder collaboration, and advocacy for policies geared towards enhancing nut quality. Furthermore, they emphasized the necessity of local processing to enhance local value addition.

Diverse themes were explored throughout the three-day event, including the competitiveness of Ivorian exporting firms in global markets, intersectoral collaboration for enhanced sub-regional synergy, sustainability challenges faced by the processing industry, and the imperative of an appropriate financing system to enhance sectoral performance.

Côte d’Ivoire stands as the world’s leading cashew nut producer, yielding over 1.2 million tons annually, while also claiming the top spot in cashew nut exports and ranking third in processing.

This sector contributes approximately 9% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and sustains employment for at least 5,000 individuals.

The country is not only the top cashew producer in the world but also a leading example in processing cashew nuts, with shelled cashew kernel production increasing from 30,000 tons to 110,000 tons during the same period.

The majority of cashew nuts are grown in the northern, north-western, and north-eastern parts of Côte d’Ivoire, involving about 450,000 growers. 

Côte d’Ivoire’s government has made investments to increase local processing capacity, which is essential for retaining more added value within the country. 

This shift towards local processing is expected to have a positive economic impact on local communities and help producers charge higher prices in the global market.

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