(Mtwara) – Tanzania’s cashew farmers have earned nearly TSh 880 billion as the country continues to shift its cashew export operations through the Mtwara Port, resulting in better prices for growers and increased efficiency in shipments.
In the past seven weeks, cashew farmers in Tanzania have received TSh 879.699 billion as the industry thrives under improved business conditions. The Mtwara Port, now serving as the primary export gateway, has been crucial to the success of this year’s cashew season. The 2024/2025 cashew season has already shown promising results, with production and sales reaching 261,797 tonnes worth TSh 999 billion.
Francis Alfred, the CEO of the Cashew Board of Tanzania (CBT), commented that the current season is progressing well, and the country expects to exceed last year’s production of 310,000 tonnes. Alfred visited Mtwara Port and confirmed that the port has sufficient shipping capacity to handle the cashew exports.
The government’s decision to use the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX) platform for cashew sales has further enhanced the industry. By removing middlemen, farmers have been able to access higher prices for their produce. For example, during the first auction on October 11, 3,857 tonnes of raw cashews were sold for prices between TSh 4,035 and TSh 4,120 per kilogram. The second auction, held on October 12 by the Lindi Mwamba Cooperative, saw 6,435 tonnes sold for prices ranging from TSh 3,400 to TSh 3,865 per kilogram.
Governor Patrick Sawala of Mtwara Region urged traders to expedite the transportation of cashews through the port rather than storing them for long periods in warehouses. He emphasized that the government, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s directives, aims to benefit farmers, traders, and the nation as a whole by ensuring a streamlined export process.
Governor Sawala expressed satisfaction with the port’s operations, noting that there are adequate facilities to handle the cashew exports. He stated that Mtwara Port is capable of handling all the cashews intended for international markets this season.
Mtwara Port Manager, Ferdinand Nyathi, reported significant improvements in the port’s capacity in recent years. In the previous season, the port handled 253,000 tonnes of cashews, and it is now prepared to manage up to 500,000 tonnes in the current season. He shared that a cargo ship operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company had docked at the port, carrying 600 containers of goods. Since the beginning of the season, 11 vessels have been serviced, and the port is continuing to load goods into containers for transport.
Nyathi noted that Mtwara Port can handle up to 2 million tonnes of cargo annually, with ships up to 240 meters long. Last year, the port handled 1.7 million tonnes of goods. He also reminded the public of President Suluhu’s directive that all cashews harvested in southern regions be exported via Mtwara Port, a mandate that is being fully implemented.
| Key Cashew Export Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Cashew Production | 261,797 tonnes |
| Total Value of Cashews | TSh 999 billion |
| Earnings to Farmers | TSh 879.699 billion |
| Port Capacity | Up to 2 million tonnes annually |
| Port Ships Serviced | 11 ships since season began |