By Matthew Denis
The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nonye Ayeni, has announced that cashew nut exports surged to a value of US$398.135 million in the first half of 2025.
Ayeni made the disclosure during the official launch of the Cashew Processors Directory, a landmark initiative aimed at transforming Nigeria’s cashew industry, held in Abuja on Tuesday.
She described the launch as timely, noting the impressive performance and rising global significance of Nigeria’s cashew sector. In 2024, cashew nuts ranked fourth among 243 products exported from Nigeria, underscoring their vital contribution to the nation’s non-oil export portfolio.
“In just the first half of 2025, cashew nut exports reached US$398.135 million, an 81.15 per cent rise from US$219.780 million in the same period of 2024. Cashew nuts are now Nigeria’s third-largest export product out of 234 recorded so far,” she said.
Cashew kernels have also demonstrated strong growth, moving from 18th place in 2024 to 14th in the first half of 2025. Export values for kernels climbed by 40.29 per cent to US$26.851 million, reflecting increasing demand for value-added cashew products.
Ayeni noted that Nigeria currently ranks fourth globally in cashew nut production, demonstrating the country’s capacity to become a key player in the global cashew market.
“These figures are a compelling call to invest, innovate and expand the cashew value chain. Global demand is rising, and Nigeria has the resources, from arable land to hardworking farmers, to dominate this industry. Yet we have only begun to unlock our full potential,” she said.
She stressed the opportunities presented by growing international demand, the health-conscious consumer shift and the potential for local value addition and industrial processing. She added that empowering smallholder farmers through improved livelihoods remains a priority.
“At NEPC, we are determined to turn these opportunities into tangible outcomes. Real progress requires collaboration, strategic investment and robust institutional frameworks.
“We must provide agribusinesses with policy support and technical expertise, ensuring farmers and processors have the tools to compete effectively and sustainably,” she said.
The Cashew Processors Directory, developed in partnership with GIZ, offers detailed insights into market dynamics, production clusters and key stakeholders within Nigeria’s cashew ecosystem.
Ayeni commended GIZ for its consistent technical assistance and capacity-building efforts, describing the directory as a “comprehensive industry compass” that can guide stakeholders in strategy and planning.
“As we unveil this directory, I call on farmers, processors, exporters, investors and policymakers to make full use of it. Let it guide decisions, strengthen strategies and foster collaboration. Together, we can establish Nigeria as a hub for premium, value-added cashew products,” she said.
Yunusa Gabriel Enemali, President of the National Apex of Cashew Farmers, Processors and Marketing Cooperative, called on stakeholders to prioritise local cashew farmers by providing incentives to boost productivity.
He stressed that farmers, as the foundation of the cashew value chain, must have a voice in decision-making.