Tanzania to host international cashew nut conference

Mtwara. More than 500 stakeholders from over 33 countries that produce and consume cashew nuts are expected to participate in an international conference on the cashew nut crop in Tanzania from October 11 to 13, 2023, at the Julius Nyerere International Conference Centre in Dar es Salaam.

The Director-General of Cashew nut Board of Tanzania (CBT), Francis Alfred, told The Citizen on October 5, 2023, that the Vice President, Dr. Philip Mpango, is expected to grace the conference.

The conference is being organised by CBT, in collaboration with Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC), Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) Naliendele, and other stakeholders.

Among other things, the conference aims to promote investment opportunities in the cashew nut value chain.

"This conference is an opportunity for Tanzanians to meet various stakeholders, and there will be various topics related to the cashew nut value chain, production, technology, and our counterparts abroad," said Alfred.

There will also be discussions on how to use digital technology in cashew nut production, from the farm to the market, access to finance or capital in the industry, and market trends.

With this year's season starting on October 20, 2023, the board expects to produce 400,000 tonnes of cashew nuts.

However, last season's target was not met, as only 285,000 tonnes were produced.

The international cashew nut conference is a timely event, as Tanzania is the world's fourth-largest producer of cashew nuts. The conference is expected to attract investors and buyers from around the world, which could help boost Tanzania's cashew nut industry.