The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) on Thursday said it was excited as the nation’s cashew price hit N200,000 per metric tonne for the first time.
The National Publicity Secretary, Mr Sotonye Anga, said in Lagos that the record was due to quality control procedures embraced by farmers.
He attributed the favourable price to foreigners’ patronage of the Nigerian cashew.
Anga recalled that one tonne of raw cashew nut was sold for between N110,000 and N130,000 last year.
“The association is particularly happy with the development because for the first time in Nigeria, cashew farmers are smiling to the bank.
“Last year, we made a feat of N100,000 per tonne but after the flag off of the cashew season in February, the price has continued to rise.
“It is a great feat for farmers and it is because of the quality procedure embraced by the farmers,’’ Anga said.
The spokesperson also revealed that farmers properly sun dried the cashew nuts after harvests and packaged them in jute bags.
While thanking foreigners, who patronised Nigerian farmers, Anga said he hoped that the farmers would continue to be encouraged to do more in 2016.
