July 13, 2019
The demand is calm but the supply abounds in the production-sale of the raw cashew nut. Togo is one of the producers of this nut, but like most African countries, almost all of it is exported for processing abroad.
Images by IT
As a result, marketing remains the only industry that is talked about in the sector. In such an environment, when prices are sick, it is all sectors that sneeze. World crisis, we will say, certainly. But too easy as an answer when we know that here and there, the authorities are doing everything so that the actors of a sector yet born to shine are not the sacrificial sheep of a problem they did not necessarily create and on another plane they think to convert difficulties into economic assets. What is the cashew nut, what is the crisis, what are the authorities doing and where are we in Togo? What are the economic assets of this little known sector, or at least very neglected authorities. And yet a sector that supplants enough key sectors in neighbors? From Dapaong to the port of Lomé via Tchamba, from one actor to another, the editorial staff of your newspaper has pointed its nose to inform you.
The cashew nut is a dry fruit produced by the cashew tree. Mainly grown in Brazil and India, Côte d'Ivoire is considered the world's leading producer with 750,000 tonnes in 2018. Due to the lack of adequate structures for its local processing, almost all of this highly-prized fruit is exported. Every little villager in a production environment like Assoli, more than an appetizer, cashew nuts cooked away from hostile eyes, was for us a food despite the often radical opposition of parents. We did not think we were right very early on the virtues of this necessary evil, we are there. He is presently at the rendezvous in large tables, at the supermarket in Lomé, the bottle of a liter tears at a price of gold, 6000 to 7000F CFA. What is the basis of its nutritional and therefore market value? Nuts from Brazil for some, pecan for others, pistachio or cashew closer, this dry fruit is very popular for its nutritional value. In the light of our research, cashews are excellent for health and represent a source of benefits to the body. Lipids are fat and in normal times, their function is to supply the body with fat, but these are responsible for the increase in weight, a fact. Only, there is a wide range between bad fats and essential fats. The cashew nut belongs to the family of nuts and oleaginous fruits. Of all the fruits in this category, it is by far the most nutritious and the least rich in lipid. Moreover, "the fatty acid contained in this fruit is of the monounsaturated form". This fat is recognized as a brake on the increase in LDL cholesterol (called bad) while preserving that of good cholesterol (HDL). The monounsaturated lipids that make up 60% of cashews play a vital and essential role for our cells and their functioning. They carry fat-soluble vitamins and contribute to the production of sex hormones. They improve the assimilation of proteins and hormones into the bloodstream. Is it also important to mention that cashews are rich in copper? The latter promotes the absorption of vitamin C and iron.
Nibblers wonder if it is possible to appease his hunger to just quantity? A diet with cashew nuts can reduce our snacking cravings and as a result, help us lose weight. The quality of the nutrients that make up this shell fruit satisfies the gourmet pleasures thanks to its delicious flavor and its capacity to satiate. It should be noted, however, that "one portion, or 20 nuts at the equivalent of 170 calories is sufficient to supplement the daily ration" in light of published credible research. To the results of these credible studies, cashews would have the virtues of strengthening and relaxing the walls of the cells of the intestine. Cashew nut is a crossroads of magnesium, copper, phosphorus, zinc, iron, selenium, vitamins E, K, B1, B2 and B6, as well as vitamin B9 and vitamin B9. pantothenic acid.
So many essential nutrients for the good functioning of our organism:
"Vitamin B5 plays an important role in the production of neurotransmitters and steroid hormones.
Vitamin B6 participates in the formation of red blood cells, the proper functioning of the immune system and intervenes in the metabolism of fatty acids and proteins.
Vitamin B2 contributes to energy metabolism, tissue development and repair, and hormone synthesis.
Selenium works in synergy with an antioxidant enzyme and helps to prevent the formation of free radicals.
Copper is essential for the production of collagen and hemoglobin.
Zinc contributes to immune responses and plays an important role in wound healing and the production of genetic material. Consuming the cashew nut regularly would therefore help nourish the body and prevent nutritional deficiencies.
Cashews are rich in phytosterols, substances with a similar structure to cholesterol. According to a meta-analysis, having gathered more than 40 clinical trials, the daily consumption of 2 g of phytosterols can reduce bad cholesterol levels by 10%.
This oilseed also contains many fatty acids known to be beneficial to heart health because they can reduce bad cholesterol when they replace saturated fatty acids and can prevent the oxidation of this type of cholesterol. A fruit that relieves depression. It has been scientifically proven that cashews can help reduce depressive episodes. This antidepressant effect is mainly tryptophan contained in cashews. It is an amino acid precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and which, present in low levels in the body, can lead to a depressive state. Several studies have shown that high concentrations of tryptophan in the brain stimulate serotonin synthesis, which would be very helpful in relieving depression. In short, the product is a rare fruit long banalized see feared in our circles.
In Togo, it is produced from north to south, but the central region, mainly the Tchamba-Sokodé area, has a large production capacity. The industry is experiencing a situation that policy makers do not look at from one country to another. In Burkina Faso and Nigeria, for example, prices have fallen but the fall has not been sudden and producers have managed to sell the majority of their production. In Togo, already in 2017 the crisis gave a smell. But people did not believe that "between 900 and 925 FCFA / kg (1.5-1.54 USD / kg) for an average KOR of 40-44lbs", it was still the good time. Traders then offered between 975 and 1025 FCFA / kg (1.63-1.71 USD / kg). The language of a certain depreciation of value was already circulating and the Secretary General of the Cashew industry in Togo attributed this drop in the quality of the nuts to some bad post-harvest practices and the non-regulation of the cashew market in Togo.
' Indeed, it has been postponed that many of the producers facing the high demand are not waiting for the nuts to fall before collecting. This has disrupted the production cycle of several cashew trees whose yield this year seems to be low compared to the previous season. " Thus regretted already Mr Richard Secretary General of the Interprofession in 2017. But the more we advance, the more the crisis hardens. Currently, all actors are in serious difficulties, we have extended the microphone to some. And contrary to appearances, behind this sector are hiding enough barons who have found a repository for their money. But at the same time, honesty would like us to recognize that this reconversion gives work, a work in reality to salute. But what is happening right now?
Word to the victims
We moved the writing to actors, and since everything is politicized in Togo, they spoke behind the curtains.
"Regarding the situation in the cashew nut industry that you asked me, we buy cashew nuts a long time ago, otherwise this sector helps us and also helps farmers. People have started a lot in this very profitable activity.Without lying to you, it also provides a lot of money. For example, it allows a young person to build and pay for a motorcycle. There is nothing to do here except this activity, it saved us. There was a time a lot of people discovered the interest of this activity, but no one complained that the market was crowded with operators. But since last year until the time I speak to you, everything has changed in a negative way. We bought cashew nuts at 1000 FCFA from the peasants but to sell them to our partners, they say they want to pay 800, 600 or even 500 really spoiled. Another speaker bounced back: "We said that this year 2018-2019 would not be like the year 2017-2018.
Unfortunately this year's problem is worse. Me who speaks to you, I am the son of a traditional chief, I am a buyer. We took out loans from banks and micro finance, as well as our diaspora brothers. They send us money to buy cashew seeds. We bought a lot and it is the same state that set the price at 400 FCFA and we made a big stock. Afterwards, the state also made 500 FCFA and we made big stocks in the shops and suddenly the price dropped to 250 and 200 FCFA. Without lying to you, as I speak to you, we are overwhelmed by the debts since you can make an expenditure of 10,000,000 FCFA to make the purchases and in return you sell that to 5,000,000 FCF. You see yourself, how will you make loans under these conditions? Some friends are in prison, others have left the country. The most unfortunate have had stroke and are paralyzed.
A little further, another voice resonates, "We hoped that it will change but unfortunately it never changed and we were forced to sell at 250 FCFA. When I speak to you now, in our village here, we who buy the cashew nuts, our debts exceed us. And when I speak, I'm not talking just about a problem specific to our industry here, but all the areas where cashew is grown. Everyone is full of this situation. So far we do not know where the problem comes from, some say it's the state, others say it's tax increases or it's the buyers themselves who are causing the problem. One thing is certain, here in Togo, taxes have gone up too much for exporters too, and that's what's bothering us a good deal. When that happened like that, they are Venus organizing a sitting. The goal is to lower taxes so that it works. Unfortunately, the Togolese state has refused and we are heavily indebted. The population has a lot of debt and it does not know what to do because we have not yet found the money to repay our loans in banks and also what our brothers in the diaspora have lent us to make purchases. Otherwise it is the problems we are currently experiencing that even if we call you on the phone you can not get out of fear of creditors.
"What has bothered us more, they know they will not come to make purchases on 500 and 400 FCFA but we do not know why they fixed the price up to 400 FCFA. Since people have made purchases on 400 or 450 FCFA in large quantities. Do you see how it's best to set the price and then come change at will? This is the problem we are facing not only the buyers but our parents who grow cashew nuts.
When the price is 500 FCFA, even if you have not done a lot of field, if you harvest a bag, you can pay 1OOkg of maize at 40 000 FCFA. This activity has allowed many old people to buy motorcycles and left their bike, it has also allowed many to build houses, to make the pilgrimage. At their place where I speak to you, nobody can take their money to make the pilgrimage to the risk of becoming poorer because we have stocks but the price is not favorable for us to sell and earn money. We have a lot of stocks that sleep in the shops. " In the light of some of our sources of investigation, "we suspect the Indians who invest a lot in the industry of cashew."Another source states that initially, the transforming countries were not producers, but the price fell because for these processors, the cashew nuts started to produce because they knew the culture. India and Vietnam had good crops locally and started the 2018 season with stocks from the previous season. " Sources have told us that Togolese specificity has gone beyond what popular opinion thinks. "In Togo, the fall in prices is also attributed to political motives. The objective is to bring down prices in order to reduce the room for maneuver for this group of producers in a region hostile to the regime, the central region ". "You have to understand that it's a general fall, because trade depends on supply and demand, and supply is bigger than demand, so it's gone," said one analyst.
"Togo is not the only producer of cashew nuts, Côte d'Ivoire is experiencing the same phenomenon and next to Benin also. And actors from Benin came to sell their product in Togo and until then the price of the kilo of cashew in Benin is lower than that of Togo. So it's the world price that falls and that's what really influenced producers, buyers, and so on. "Our journalists have stumbled on a buyer who is full of these words:" Everyone has received a serious blow and as proof I bought 500 FCFA and went to resell Lomé.At first I was offered 450 FCFA and I wanted to wait in the hope that prices will rise, but the price has dropped to 350 FCFA; for fear of seeing the kilo return to 250, I had to sell at 350 FCFA, which earned me a debt that was around 5,000,000 FCFA. In reality, the producers do not have too many problems but it is the buyers who will take the money in the micros-finances and as the prices have dropped considerably, they have the trouble to repay the money they have taken. This is in a way picked up what is happening. The thesis of the global fall that is at the root of the problem is very credible. However, each country has taken steps to protect its affected population. What is the Togolese authority doing? Revise upward taxes on the product when the sector is doing well and refuse any reduction of these taxes to curb the crisis?
Bearish trend and case by case solution
The trend in the market is bearish when it comes to cashew. The world's leading producer and exporter, Côte d'Ivoire is not immune. From our information solicited at some Ivorian editors, at a given moment, the quality is a little worse with producers like Ivory Coast, Ghana partly because of the heavy rains which fell. After several bullish campaigns as some actors have testified, the producers started the 2018 campaign with a very speculative attitude. In Côte d'Ivoire, a policy is in place that encourages the development of local processing.In 2018, "... Côte d'Ivoire has put in place a procedure whereby an exporter is obliged to make an offer to sell to processors before exporting. Normally, exporters must reserve 15% of volumes exported to processors. So when they want to export for example 1000 tons, they have to auction 150 tons for the processors. There is a certain delay for the answer ". While making the arrangements, the transformation could be successful in some countries. The situation is favorable for processing with lower prices and abundant supply. Against a single processing unit in Togo, there are ten processing companies in Côte d'Ivoire, two large plants in Benin, four in Burkina Faso and two in Ghana. In Togo, in the city of Tchamba, a private operator has since fought with the only processing unit in the country, "Cajou Espoir". Him ; it is Francois Locoh-Donou, he was inspired by Benin, and "Cajou Espoir" was born in 2004 in the attic of cashew production of Togo: Tchamba. 40 employees who will process 12 tons of cashew nuts in 2005. The exemplary development of this small SME has also convinced the financiers of EBID, the Investment and Development Bank of ECOWAS which, to support its development, has granted financial attention that currently allows hundreds of employees as a pioneer in the transformation of a channel relegated to the Greek calendar.
Just as everywhere else, many nut exporters and traders have, through unsavory acts, undermined the marketing process, through ridiculous prices paid to producers. Cashew nuts have been developing remarkably for some years because of their relatively simple cultivation and low production costs. Cashew production is growing at an average annual rate of 10%. The Togolese state in front of the constant has enough to extol the merits with what is called encouraging indicators: "The existence of a political will affirmed through the studies and the accompaniments in favor of the producers. The existence of a growing growth market (national and international). The existence of traditional areas of cashew production and potential for settlement. The emergence of processing companies. The sustained support of development partners ". This windy sector has the wind in its sails but it stumbles and the state is the first to disengage.
In Côte d'Ivoire, for example, when the authorities winded the product, some planters tore coffee trees, cacao trees over large areas to plant cashew trees, in Togo the sector did not cross the arms. But for a country with embryonic local transformation, what is being done to protect the market and its actors? Not much, all we know is that, at a given moment, the State made a statement: "the sector is a carrier". As a result, Agadazi Ouro Koura, then Minister of Agriculture, reported and taxes were raised. As regards supply and demand, of course, it is also linked to the international market, but has the Togolese authority wondered what are the stocks already sold and what are the unsold quantities left by the farmers? and buyers against the background of storage costs and other risks.
Here the Republic intervenes only for the sectors which are well, when there is a concern, the risks are to the audacious ones who undertake. This is a trade whose rules are set by the state without taking steps to see how far this sector can be safe from speculation. At the finish, the sector plunges and the state is washing his hands leaving to invite himself again when he will take the breath. In Ivory Coast, it's a whole organization chart that manages and supervises the sector. Thus there is a Council of Cotton and Aanacarde whose chairman of the Board of Directors is Bamba Madou. Even if the actors consider the measure insufficient, the State at the heart of the crisis, announced the reduction of the rate of the Unique Right of Exit (DUS) applied to exports of cashew. It has gone from 10% to 7% of the CIF price (Cost, Insurance and Freight). This emergency measure was intended to increase the margin of the exporters, with the aim of encouraging them to buy their products from the planters. On another level, the authorities are looking for ways and means to buy back and put at the disposal of the outlets they are negotiating. In countries such as Guinea Bissau, the state has deliberately banned exports until solutions are found to avoid stock-outs. It should be mentioned that Guinea-Bissau is the world's third largest source of raw nuts (200 000 tonnes last year), after Côte d'Ivoire and Tanzania, respectively the world's first and second largest stocks.
In neighboring Benin
In Benin, it is hoped to follow the footsteps of Côte d'Ivoire where the planter spirit was born since the late Boigny. A visionary at the time, when in Togo all prosperity boiled down to the good health of the popular entertainment, the late president had instituted a rule according to which, "if they wanted to have the advancement, the officials had interest in owning a cocoa or coffee plantation in the village ". As a result, Côte d'Ivoire has become the world's largest producer of cocoa. A feat she has just reiterated with the cashew nut.The Council of Private Investors in Benin (CIPB) organized gave its analysis of the future of cashew in Benin.Starting from the observation that "the cashew nut sector is the third pillar of Benin's economy", economic operators have made an analysis. The study presented confirmed that the sector is a major stake for the future of the country. If Benin increases its annual production to 300,000 tons of raw cashew nuts (NBC), half of which will be processed, by 2021, this will generate income for producers and processors, estimated at 285 billion CFA francs. [about 435 million euros]. That is $ 120 billion related to the export of 150 000 t of NBC, plus $ 165 billion from the export of almonds from the dehulling of 150 000 t of NBC. It should be noted that the neighbor besides the dry fruit transforms on an industrial scale the almond of the anacardium.
Even better, if we take into account the valorization of the apple and the charcoal obtained from the carbonization of the hulls, as well as the sale of the cashew balm extracted from the hull (which can be used in the aeronautical industry), the Total income from the sector could amount to 300 billion CFA francs - well above the 170 billion currently reported by the cotton sector, based on a production of 450,000 tons of seed cotton.
This strong increase in the contribution of the cashew sector to GDP would have a profound impact on all activities of the country, from banks (which should finance investments and loans), to port and maritime operators, through insurance companies, logistics, transit, telecoms, etc. It is clear that the cashew nut would thus constitute the third pillar of the national economy, alongside the port of Cotonou and cotton.
While the private sector makes these forecast studies, the government of President Patrice Talon during its ordinary session of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 set "the price of purchase price producers at 400 FCFA / kg against 650 FCFA for the previous campaign. In the light of past experience, economic operators, already active on the black market, may have the freedom to operate in all peace of mind.There is a need for flanking measures to support good marketing under this 2018-2019 campaign for the preservation of the interests of producers, processors and exporters. "
According to the Government, "the statistics of specialized organizations in the field indicate that there are still about 400,000 tons of residual stocks on the world market of which 45,000 in West Africa and 7,500 in Benin.To this stock will be added a global production in 2019 estimated at 3,765,000 tons. Hence the need to adapt to the market to preserve the interests of producers. It should also be noted that the export of cashew nuts by land, the Council says, is prohibited. Benin is currently Africa's 4th largest supplier of cashew nuts.
In Togo, the authorities do not even have the duty to give even a rigorous explanation, so that the opinion understands and that the actors have a moral relief of a suffering taken into account by a responsible state. We have chosen to give up all our sovereign obligations related to the sector. The authorities must themselves be informed of what is happening. Leading a country is not waking up with the sun and sleeping with him in the hope of falling on sectors to be taxed. Even if it happens, the one who does not know where he is going can not find a favorable wind. Thus, while Togo sells its port to be the only one in deep waters, the latter bankrupt is only used for traffic while the port of Cotonou is the country's main source of revenue. in front of the cotton.
To lead is also to inform and inform the actors of any successive activity to be a carrier. Thus, for lack of information, when the sales began in Benin where the actors quickly knew that the crisis is universal, sellers came to get rid of their goods in Togo where people bought for lack of information for anticipate the crisis.Certainly, the marketing of cashew nuts, the problem is more general than specific to Togo, it is not created by Mr. Faure Gnassingbe less his ministers. But the responsible countries do not cross their arms to rely on the fatalism of the market. Here and there, producers are encouraged to maintain their serenity and not to sell their products; Actors are invited to report to the competent services all those who do not respect the decisions made by the government and in particular the prices validated by the authorized votes. The Rulers are committed to creating and creating the conditions for the local processing of cashew nuts, one of the solutions for sustaining and consolidating the achievements of the sector.
We have collected testimonials that amply show how the sector has reformed the lives of grassroots people.But despite the severe impoverishment of our parents in crisis since the culture gropes, no serious action is taken by the Government to find durable solutions to this situation that persists since the 2018 campaign. This is also what it gives when a country decides not to have strong institutions.
For this 2019 season, if the price of the kilo is set at 400 FCFA in Togo, it was 375 FCFA per kilogram in Ivory Coast. But when notwithstanding this regulation, the prices offered to the brave producers fell between 100 and 250 FCFA according to the localities, all the actors of the public life took to the body the problem. The PDCI-RDA Parliamentary Group, founded on the basis of the African Agriculture Union, makes no secret of its commitment to parliamentarians:
"In this perspective, as in the case of damaged rice, the Parliamentary Group PDCI-RDA will address an oral question with debate to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and his colleague from Industry on marketing and marketing. industrialization in the cashew nut sector so that all Ivorians are informed about the governance of this important sector ". Where are we in Togo, what is the state, parliamentarians, how serious is the current crisis, what are the possible solutions? Good to follow.
Folder of Meme and Younus / The Rendezvous
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