Over 2,500 to lose jobs as Nigeria’s biggest cashew factory set to shut dow

Anga said: “It is sad to say, but I am compelled to let you know that within days from today, January 28, Nigeria’s largest cashew processing factory will be shut down

The National Cashew Association of Nigeria on Thursday expressed concern that Olam Cashew Factory, Nigeria’s biggest cashew factory, would go into extinction if precautionary measures are not taken.Sotonye Anga, the National Publicity Secretary of NCAN, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that cashew processors require government’s support to survive in the country.Anga said the main reason for the imminent closure was because the factory was operating below 30 per cent installed capacity in 2015, in addition to the high cost of production.He said the factory had an initial capacity of 28,000 metric tons per annum and had over 2,500 workers who were mostly women.Anga said: “It is sad to say, but I am compelled to let you know that within days from today, January 28, Nigeria’s largest cashew processing factory will be shut down.“This multi-billion Naira cashew factory, located in Kwara State, has an installed capacity of 28,000 metric tons of cashew per annum.“In 2015, the cashew factory operated below 30 per cent of its installed capacity and by January 2016, it has become totally unsustainable and no longer viable processing cashew from this factory.“The rationale behind the closure is the high cost of processing and production of cashew nuts, making them uncompetitive globally.”According to Anga, the cost of processing cashew in other parts of the world is relatively low.He cited countries such as India, Brazil, Ghana and Vietnam.Anga said the average cost of processing cashew in Nigeria is $500 per ton, as against $200 to $250 in other cashew processing countries earlier mentioned.He said: “How can Nigeria compete globally when the cost of production is about the highest owing to poor electricity supply, high cost of diesel, huge cost of running the generators?“Other challenges are multiple-taxation, zero incentive to cashew processors and high rates on bank facilities.“The closure of this factory would be a blow to Nigeria’s cashew industry and loss of jobs for 2,500 Nigerians, who depend on this factory for their livelihood.“Cashew processors are very important value chain actors in the cashew ecosystem.“Every cashew processing factory shut down translates to thousands of job losses.”Anga said in 2014 and 2015, some pioneer cashew processing factories like Jof Cashew in Ondo State and ACET cashew in Lagos State were forced to shut down.He said: “It is obvious that cashew processors require government’s support to survive.“We, therefore, call on the government of Nigeria to be mindful of the plight of cashew processors in the country.“The government should quickly create a cashew investment incentive that will deliberately reduce the cost of production and keep our processors afloat and in business to attract more investment to the sector.“A strong cashew processing capacity in Nigeria means a guaranteed market for Nigeria’s raw cashew.”

Source: http://theeagleonline.com.ng

Mixed feelings for Vietnamese cashew, dragon fruit exporters January 25, 2016

Mixed feelings for Vietnamese cashew, dragon fruit exporters January 25, 2016 Although the output of Vietnamese cashews has been improving in markets such as Japan and the U.S., companies are still anxious over large export contracts, as they fear that there will not be enough product to meet demand. For dragon fruit exporters, the market is expanding, but unhealthy competition amongst exporters is affecting the ability to meet orders.The Hoang Son I Limited Company in the southern province of Binh Phuoc signed a cashew export contract up to May this year, according to Ta Quang Huyen, director of the company."The world market is consuming Vietnamese cashews with export prices rising from VND72,800 per kilogramme to VND78,400 per kilogramme," Huyen told the Phap Luat Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh (HCM City Law) newspaper.However, large export contracts make enterprises worried."The company does not dare to sign contracts with large volumes because we are worried that there will be not enough raw cashews to meet the signed orders," Huyen said.Huyen said the domestic raw cashews could supply only 30 percent of the demand for export processing. Responding to this issue, Nguyen Duc Thanh, chairman of the Vietnam Cashew Association (Vinacas), said Vietnam could process about 1.3 million tonnes of cashews each year, however, the country could supply only 500,000 tonnes, with the rest imported from Africa and Cambodia.Meanwhile, the export of dragon fruit in the beginning months of this year has also been smooth, according to Tran Ngoc Hiep, director of the Hoang Hau Dragon Fruit Farm Co, Ltd.Besides the key market of China, the company expanded its exports to the US, Japan, Europe and Southeast Asia.Export prices to China are around VND22,400 per kilogramme, said Hiep."However, the difficulty of the sector is the unhealthy competitiveness among traders, which means exporters do not have stable goods to meet the orders of foreign partners," he added. (1 Vietnamese Dong =0.000045 US Dollar) Source: vietnamnews.vn

Trade Ministry Starved Of Funds Wed Jan 27, 2016

Trade Ministry Starved Of Funds

Wed Jan 27, 2016

Less than one per cent of the 2016 budget of the Ministry of Trade and Industry will be used to support trade and industry initiatives this year. This is because out of the GH¢259.61 million allocated to the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) for spending this year, GH¢258.61 million, representing 99 per cent, is to be disbursed to subvented institutions under the ministry.

Part of that amount would be used to pay the salaries and remuneration of staff of the ministry, leaving only GH¢750,000 for goods and services.

“This amount (GH¢750,000) is less than one million cedis, it is less than the price of a two-bedroom house, yet that is the amount we will work with after taking out salaries and allocations to the agencies,” the Sector Minister, Dr Ekwow Spio-Gabrah, said at the National Cashew Dialogue in Accra.

He explained that the meager nature of the ministry's goods and services budget normally constrained efforts aimed at developing the industrial and trade base of the economy.

The ministry currently has about 16 institutions under its care, out of which all, including the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), the Export Development and Agricultural Investment Fund (EDAIF), the Komenda Sugar Factory and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), are subvented.

He said a chunk of the ministry's budget could be saved if majority of the institutions were weaned off the subventions. “Some of them are ready to be weaned off. The GSA has actually proposed to be an independent agency but they say they can do so only if, in their view, the Ghana Conformity Assessment Programme (GCAP), is brought back. They think it is one of the sources of revenues that has been denied them,” he said in an interview with GRAPHIC BUSINESS after the dialogue.

“So, it is either the government can keep them under subvention without the GCAP or they are given the GCAP and taken out of subvention,” he said.

Asked what he would advise under the current situation, Dr Spio-Gabrah said the issue of the GCAP was part of a range of policy initiatives being discussed with stakeholders and the presidency.

Cashew dialogue

The national dialogue, which was on the theme: “Revitalising the Cashew Sector, an Opportunity Neglected by the Nation,” aimed at outlining measures to raise output of the crop to 150,000 metric tons by 2025.

Currently, annual output of cashew is reported at 50,000 tons, majority of which is exported, leaving the local manufacturing sector to fend for itself. As a result, the low production figures has combined with increasing cost of production, lack of funds and stringent cashew nut import measures to make the processing of the crop unattractive, leading to the collapse of the processors.

Only nine of the 12 processors in the country are in active business.

“If we put the right structures in place, we can even move from the 50,000 tons to 200,000 tons within the next 10 years. The good thing is that we have good land suitable for cultivation,” the President of the Ghana Cashew Industry Association (GCIA), Mr Winfred Osei Owusu, said at the dialogue graced by the Trade and Industry minister.

“Currently, the land that is suitable for cashew production is three million hectares. Out of that, we are farming on just 100,000 hectares. So, if we get the support, then we can increase production,” Mr Owusu added.

While admitting the need to support the sector with funds to grow, Dr Spio-Gabrah said his outfit was only in charge of the trade and industry bit of the economy, as the Ministry of Food and Agriculture oversees the agriculture sector.

That notwithstanding, he said the limited nature of budgetary allocations to the MoTI meant that any attempt to support the cashew processors with funds would be constrained.

He, however, pledged to work with them to unearth the potential of the crop, which he said he had been cultivating for 17 years.

Source: http://news.peacefmonline.com/pages/news/201601/268089.php

DPistachio market faces return of ‘king of nuts’ from Iran Thu Jan 28, 2016

 

It is not just the world of oil which is bracing itself for the impact of Iran’s return to the market after the recent lifting of US sanctions.

International pistachio traders are watching and wondering how Washington’s move will impact export flows from the Middle East nation, and whether it will have a crack at the hitherto closed US market.

The US and Iran, which account for 70-80 per cent of the world’s production, have been vying for the top producer and exporter spot for the past few years as demand — along with other treenuts — has risen thanks to the growing trend for healthier eating around the world.

Chuck Nichols, president of Nichols Farms in California, which grows, processes and ships pistachios, says the Iran issue has been on the US growers’ minds. “People have been thinking about this,” he says. Iran’s industry executives are confident exports will increase thanks to the sanctions relief. “The transactions will definitely be easier and works are done smoother,” said Mahmoud Abtahi, deputy head of Iran’s Pistachio Association.

“Iran’s pistachio has been exported over 100 years and has secured a foothold in the world market. It is the king of nuts.”

Iran, which has been a pistachio producer since the fifth century BC, managed to regain the position of top producer last year for the first time since 2008, after record crops in the two years to 2015.

In sharp contrast the 2015 harvest in California, which accounts for most of the US output, almost halved to 275m pounds — the lowest in almost a decade — due to adverse weather.

The fall in supply has pushed up Californian pistachios above $5 a pound, allowing Iran to offer discounts to its overseas buyers, especially in China — the largest import market.

Iran has been selling into China between 80 cents to $1 lower than the US product, replacing California as the top exporter, says Richard Matoian, executive director of the American Pistachio Growers.

“We do believe the US will take over as the largest producer in the world and will regain the China market in the future, as early as 2016,” says Mr Matoian.

Europe is another large market where Iran could make inroads thanks to sanctions relief. Although pistachios had not been subject to European sanctions, restrictions on banking and shipping had made trade difficult. Even with such challenges, “Iranian pistachios have a strong following [in Europe] because of the taste”, says Niel Hyde, a veteran nut trader who is now at Brazil’s cashew processor Iracema.

The key issue for Iranian imports has been the levels of aflatoxin, a poisonous substance caused by mould, and many retailers and nut packers have switched to the Californian variety.

Kees Blokland, trader at General Trading in the Netherlands, says: “I personally think the pistachios from Iran are more tasty and more flavoursome but the supermarkets will not change that easily.”

Nevertheless, with US pistachio prices having risen steadily for the last eight years, some industry executives expect Iranian pistachios will be fully encouraged to “keep the Californians honest in the short term, if not also the long term”. The big question is whether Iranians can make inroads into the US. Even before US sanctions were implemented, Iranian pistachio imports were subject to anti-dumping duties of about 300 per cent. With the sanctions removed, a review is to be conducted by the US trade authorities on whether to retain the tariff.

“Our industry will vigorously defend our position” to retain the duties, says Mr Nichols. Even if the duty is dropped, ambiguity around banking and payment remains, say legal experts. Although various restrictions have been removed, US “primary sanctions” are still in place, which means US citizens are still banned from involvement in commercial dealings with Iran and US banks are still prohibited from clearing US dollar transactions related to Iran.

John Whittaker, of UK law firm Clyde & Co, says: “There are a lot of practical and historical issues surrounding Iran sending their nuts to the US, including the clearance of dollar transactions.”

Iranian industry officials acknowledge that things will not change overnight. The country should not expect “a miracle”, says Mr Abtahi.

One main challenge that both pistachio rivals face is the changing weather affecting productivity and water availability.

California’s production was hit by the lack of “chilling hours” or cold days during the 2014 winter, as well as the prolonged drought which has hit groundwater levels. Iran’s pistachio growers, who are mostly private and small-scale farmers, have also suffered water shortages that have raised costs.

Hassan Tabatabaei, a leading pistachio grower, said Iran’s problem was more domestic than international.

“Lifting of sanctions will for 100 per cent bring about stability in transactions, but what is more affecting pistachio production is that precipitation is declining each year,” he says.

Source: http://www.ft.com/

Vietnam Cashew Association participated in the program hosted two PNCP 2016 Sat Jan 23, 2016

Vietnam Cashew Association participated in the program hosted two PNCP 2016 Sat Jan 23, 2016 Implementing Decision No.72 / 2010 / QD-TTg of November 15, 2010 by the Prime Minister on promulgating regulations on the building, management and implementation of the program national trade promotion, May 18 01 2016, Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang signed Decision No. 206 / QD-BCT approved National Trade Promotion Programme in 2016 included 177 projects of 67 units with a total budget chair is 90 billion. Vietnam Cashew Association to participate chaired PNCP 2 program in 2016 include: 1. Program  Organization of trade unions in the US market combined attendance at a meeting of international grain dried fruit INC 2016  in May - 6/2016  United States 2. Program  Organizations exposed to foreign importers in Vietnam purchases in 2016  in May 11/2016  Danang. National Trade Promotion Program in 2016 including practical trade promotion activities, feasibility and implementation plan early in the year include trade promotion activities, market development, exports, domestic product fairs, Society implemented in foreign markets, trade mission abroad, international conference industry, activity picked foreign importers to purchase, trade information, training, consulting, trade promotion of economic regions, capacity building training to businesses, cooperatives, trade promotion organizations. In parallel with the implementation of the objective to promote exports, reduce trade deficit, the national trade promotion program in 2016 continued to implement trade promotion activities developed domestic markets, rural, mountainous, border, the Local difficulties, contributing to the effective implementation of the campaign "The priority for Vietnam Vietnam" launched by the Politburo. In 2015, with support from the National Trade Promotion Programme, the presence of Vietnam export products in traditional markets like the US, EU, China, Japan, South Korea expanding. Also, the program has supported now continue back market Russia, Eastern Europe, strengthening market activities in Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, some Middle East and African countries, to help the Vietnam businesses to promote export products and services to the markets of the countries mentioned above; promoted trade and investment; empowering and images of Vietnam. The trade promotion activities in the country, mountainous, border and island areas has also contributed actively to the development and expansion of domestic market. According to preliminary statistics, the national trade promotion program has supported in 2015 supported 8,850 businesses respectively, 14 499 booths at the trade fairs at home and abroad, attracting over 3 million visitors, shopping and signing the many economic contracts with a total value of 858 million dollars and approximately 637.8 billion. Businesses, local, interested organizations can consult detailed list of projects under the 2015 National Trade Promotion Programme in Appendix 1 attached to the Decision 206 / QD-BCT dated 18 months 01 years 2016 on the website of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Trade Promotion Agency here . School location Editors from sources Vietrade

Not collecting fees from cashew exports 04/01/2016 Sat Jan 23, 2016

Under Executive Committee Resolution Vietnam Cashew Association dated 16.01.2016, 100% of trustees Executive Committee of Vietnam Cashew Association has agreed to adopt the proposal of some members VINACAS and reviews of some copper Releases Executive Committee members of the Association not to collect 100% of the export fee $ 1.0 / ton export of membership from the date 01.04.2016.

Thus, from the date 01/4/2016 enterprises export processing members that will not have to pay export fees that $ 1.0 / ton export it again.

Funding for participation in the global Council (GCC) and the extension projects, support cashew farmers (formed after 12/31/2015) will be provided by voluntary business contributions on the basis of budget solvency of the Association or deducted from the budget Development Fund which (if approved by the General Assembly through the Term IX). Return To post dues collection plans (dues) as previously for the business members of the export processing.

Association executive committee Association Standing Committee and president of the Association to conduct necessary procedures suggested the Ministry of Finance, General Administration of Customs notifies Customs Department and the Department of the provincial, city not Fees export revenues which $ 1.0 / ton export from date 04/01/2016.

Source: Finance Committee VINACAS

Exporters' outlook for 2016 remains mixed Mon Jan 25, 2016

Exporters' outlook for 2016 remains mixed Mon Jan 25, 2016 Vietnamese export firms have mixed feelings, both happy and worried, about business prospects for this year. The Hoang Son I Limited Company in the southern province of Binh Phuoc signed a cashew export contract until May this year, according to Ta Quang Huyen, director of the company. "The world market is consuming Vietnamese cashews with export prices rising from VND72,800 per kilogramme to VND78,400 per kilogramme," Huyen told the Phap Luat Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh (HCM City Law) newspaper. The output of Vietnamese cashews has been getting better, even in choosy markets such as Japan and the US, the director added. However, large export contracts also make enterprises worried. "The company does not dare to sign contracts with large volume because we are worried that there will be not enough raw cashews to meet the signed orders," Huyen said. Huyen said the domestic raw cashews could supply only 30 per cent of the demand for export processing. Responding to this issue, Nguyen Duc Thanh, chairman of the Viet Nam Cashew Association (Vinacas), said Viet Nam could process about 1.3 million tons of cashews each year, however, the country could supply only 500,000 tons, with the rest imported from Africa and Cambodia. Meanwhile, the export of dragon fruit in the beginning months of this year has also been smooth, according to Tran Ngoc Hiep, director of the Hoang Hau Dragon Fruit Farm Co, Ltd. Besides the key market of China, the company expanded its exports to the US, Japan, Europe and Southeast Asia. Export prices to China are around VND22,400 per kilogramme, said Hiep. "However, the difficulty of the sector is the unhealthy competitiveness among traders, which leads exporters to not have stable goods to meet the orders of foreign partners," he added. Huynh The Nang, Chairman of the Viet Nam Food Association (VFA), said that the rice sector was expecting to export 1.2 million tons of rice in the first quarter of this year, 300,000 tons higher than that of last year. He said the two contracts signed with the Philippines and Indonesia helped free a large volume of rice inventory. However, according to rice exporters, this year is forecast to be difficult due to fierce competition with Thailand and India. In addition, the Chinese market is reducing imports from Viet Nam while increasing imports from Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand, a rice exporter told the newspaper. Many textile businesses also signed export orders until the end of the first quarter. However, representatives of many garment and textile businesses said firms need to actively connect with each other to form a close chain from raw material supply to finished products and exports, while shifting from an outsourcing country to a directly exporting one. Sourc e: http://vietnamnews.vn/

Hàng Việt xuất ngoại đầu năm

19/01/2016) Hàng Việt xuất ngoại đầu năm

Khi có nhiều hợp đồng xuất khẩu “khủng” thì nhiều doanh nghiệp Việt lại… lo.

Ông Tạ Quang Huyên, Giám đốc Công ty TNHH Hoàng Sơn 1 (Bình Phước), thông báo tin vui: Công ty đã ký được hợp đồng xuất khẩu hạt điều đến tận tháng 5-2016.

“Thị trường thế giới đang tiêu thụ mạnh hạt điều Việt với giá xuất khẩu tăng từ 3,25 USD/kg lên mức 3,5 USD/kg” - ông Huyên chia sẻ.

Vừa mừng vừa lo

Thực tế cho thấy đầu ra của hạt điều Việt ngày càng tốt hơn, ngay cả ở những thị trường khó tính như Nhật, Mỹ. Tuy vậy, khi có các hợp đồng xuất khẩu “khủng” thì không ít doanh nghiệp (DN) lại… lo. “Công ty không dám ký hợp đồng số lượng lớn vì sợ không đủ nguyên liệu để chế biến đáp ứng những đơn hàng đã ký” - ông Huyên chia sẻ.

Sự lo lắng của ông Huyên là có cơ sở, bởi hiện nay lượng nguyên liệu điều thô trong nước chỉ cung cấp đủ 30% cho nhu cầu chế biến xuất khẩu.

Nói về vấn đề này, ông Nguyễn Đức Thanh, Chủ tịch Hiệp hội Điều Việt Nam (Vinacas), thừa nhận mỗi năm Việt Nam chế biến khoảng 1,3 triệu tấn hạt điều, song trong nước chỉ cung cấp được 500.000 tấn, số còn lại phải nhập khẩu từ châu Phi và Campuchia. 

Ông Thanh phân tích: “Việc nhập khẩu nguyên liệu hạt điều gặp nhiều khó khăn vì vấp phải sự cạnh tranh với các đối thủ khác như Ấn Độ. Thậm chí một số nước châu Phi cũng đang đầu tư chế biến xuất khẩu khiến việc mua nguyên liệu phục vụ chế biến xuất khẩu càng khó khăn hơn”.

Đang vào vụ thu hoạch thanh long, ông Trần Ngọc Hiệp, Giám đốc Công ty TNHH Thanh long Hoàng Hậu, thông tin tình hình xuất khẩu đầu năm diễn ra thuận lợi. Ngoài thị trường chính là Trung Quốc, hiện nay công ty còn xuất khẩu sang Mỹ, Nhật, châu Âu và các nước Đông Nam Á. Giá xuất khẩu thanh long sang Trung Quốc khoảng 1 USD/kg.

Sơ chế thanh long xuất khẩu tại một doanh nghiệp ở TP.HCM. Ảnh: QUANG HUY

“Tuy nhiên, khó khăn là xuất hiện tình trạng cạnh tranh thiếu lành mạnh giữa các đơn vị thu mua thanh long như tranh mua, tranh bán… Điều này dẫn đến tình trạng DN xuất khẩu không có đủ hàng ổn định để đáp ứng hợp đồng của phía đối tác nước ngoài” - ông Hiệp nói.

Sau một năm bết bát, trong những ngày đầu năm nay ngành xuất khẩu gạo đã có dấu hiệu tích cực. Ông Huỳnh Thế Năng, Chủ tịch Hiệp hội Lương thực Việt Nam (VFA), dẫn chứng nhờ hai hợp đồng tập trung ký với Philippines và Indonesia đã giải phóng được lượng gạo tồn kho mua tạm trữ rất lớn. Riêng quý I-2016 xuất khẩu gạo dự kiến đạt mức 1,2 triệu tấn gạo, cao hơn khoảng 300.000 tấn so với cùng kỳ năm nước.

Tuy vậy, theo các đơn vị xuất khẩu gạo, năm nay dự báo sẽ khó khăn vì phải cạnh tranh gay gắt với gạo Thái Lan, Ấn Độ do lượng tồn kho khổng lồ 12-13 triệu tấn gạo. “Nếu Thái Lan xả hàng thì gạo Việt có thể tắc đầu ra. Hơn nữa, thị trường Trung Quốc đã giảm nhập, do họ tăng nhập gạo từ Myanmar, Campuchia và cả Thái Lan” - đại diện một DN lo lắng.

Chuyển từ Trung Quốc sang Việt Nam

Thời gian qua, Việt Nam liên tục tham gia một loạt hiệp định thương mại tự do (FTA). Những hiệp định này sẽ giúp thúc đẩy mạnh mẽ hợp tác kinh tế giữa Việt Nam với các thị trường tiềm năng, rộng lớn.

Nhìn nhận về cơ hội này, ông Trần Quốc Mạnh, Hội Mỹ nghệ và Chế biến gỗ TP.HCM (HAWA), nói năm nay đơn hàng xuất khẩu của các DN trong ngành sẽ tốt hơn nhiều so với những năm trước. Không chỉ xuất khẩu, thị trường nội địa cũng có sự tăng trưởng tốt. Lý do là vài năm gần đây, nhu cầu tiêu thụ các sản phẩm đồ gỗ trong nước không ngừng tăng.

Đáng chú ý là một số thị trường như Mỹ, Nhật Bản trước đây thường mua nguyên liệu gỗ của Trung Quốc thì nay đang chuyển hướng sang mua hàng của Việt Nam.

Để khai thác được cơ hội này, theo ông Mạnh, các DN xuất khẩu gỗ đang tập trung xây dựng vùng nguyên liệu đảm bảo quy tắc xuất xứ mà các hiệp định thương mại đặt ra. Khi đạt các tiêu chuẩn này, giá bán sản phẩm sang các nước cao hơn 15%-30% loại bình thường.

Với ngành thủy sản, ông Trần Văn Lĩnh, Tổng Giám đốc Công ty Cổ phần Thủy sản và Thương mại Thuận Phước, cho hay năm nay tình hình xuất khẩu sang Hàn Quốc có nhiều triển vọng khi FTA Việt Nam - Hàn Quốc có hiệu lực. Lý do là thuế xuất khẩu thủy sản sẽ giảm mạnh và đây được cho là động lực lớn để thúc đẩy xuất khẩu tôm sang Hàn Quốc. Riêng mặt hàng tôm còn được cấp quota miễn thuế 10.000 tấn mỗi năm.

“Vấn đề là các DN phải xây dựng được chuỗi sản xuất từ giống, nuôi, thức ăn đến chế biến, đóng gói và phải đạt chuẩn quốc tế. Bên cạnh đó, phải nắm rõ nhu cầu thị trường. Chẳng hạn người Hàn Quốc thích ăn tôm chế biến sẵn, thủy sản khô được đóng gói và phải có hướng dẫn cụ thể” - ông Lĩnh chia sẻ.

Không ít DN ngành dệt may cũng đã có đơn hàng xuất khẩu đến hết quý I-2016. Song đại diện số DN nhìn nhận để hàng may mặc hưởng lợi từ các FTA thì các DN phải chủ động liên kết để tạo thành chuỗi khép kín từ việc cung cấp nguyên phụ liệu đến thành phẩm và xuất khẩu; chuyển từ gia công xuất khẩu sang xuất khẩu trực tiếp.

Đẩy mạnh xuất khẩu sang ASEAN Những năm qua, xuất khẩu của chúng ta sang ASEAN chủ yếu là nông sản, hải sản và khoáng sản thô. Những mặt hàng này tuy hầu hết đều được hưởng thuế nhập khẩu ưu đãi nhưng có giá trị thấp, giá cả phụ thuộc vào biến động trên thế giới. Do vậy, các DN Việt cần đẩy mạnh xuất khẩu sang ASEAN những mặt hàng như điện thoại các loại và linh kiện; máy vi tính, sản phẩm điện tử và linh kiện; phương tiện vận tải và phụ tùng; máy móc, thiết bị, sắt thép… Ông TRẦN THANH HẢI, Phó Cục trưởng Cục Xuất nhập khẩu Năm 2015 là năm thứ 10 liên tiếp Việt Nam giữ vị trí hàng đầu thế giới về xuất khẩu nhân điều. Kim ngạch xuất khẩu các mặt hàng điều bao gồm dầu vỏ hạt điều và các sản phẩm phụ…, đạt khoảng 2,5 tỉ USD trong năm 2015, cao nhất từ trước đến nay.

Quang Huy

Nguồn: Báo Pháp Luật Tp. HCM

Không thu lệ phí xuất khẩu điều nhân từ ngày 01/04/2016 (Tin tốt nhất trong ngày :D )

(23/01/2016) Không thu lệ phí xuất khẩu điều nhân từ ngày 01/04/2016

Theo Nghị quyết Ban chấp hành Hiệp hội Điều Việt Nam ngày 16/1/2016, 100% ủy viên Ban chấp hành Hiệp hội Điều Việt Nam đã đồng ý thông qua đề nghị của một số hội viên VINACAS và ý kiến của một số đồng chí ủy viên Ban chấp hành Hiệp hội về việc không thu 100% Lệ phí xuất khẩu điều 1,0 USD/ tấn điều xuất khẩu của hội viên từ ngày 01/04/2016.

 

Như vậy, kể từ ngày 01/4/2016 các doanh nghiệp hội viên chế biến xuất khẩu điều sẽ không phải nộp lệ phí xuất khẩu điều 1,0 USD/  tấn điều xuất khẩu nữa. 

 

Kinh phí dành cho việc tham gia Hội đồng điều toàn cầu (GCC) và các dự án khuyến nông, hỗ trợ nông dân trồng điều (hình thành sau ngày 31/12/2015) sẽ do các doanh nghiệp tự nguyện tham gia đóng góp trên cơ sở khả năng chi của ngân sách của Hiệp hội hoặc trích từ nguồn ngân sách Quỹ Phát triển điều (nếu được Đại hội Nhiệm kỳ IX thông qua). Quay trở lại phương án thu Niêm liễm (Hội phí) như trước đây đối với các doanh nghiệp hội viên chế biến xuất khẩu điều.

 

Ban chấp hành Hiệp hội giao Ban Thường vụ Hiệp hội và Chủ tịch Hiệp hội tiến hành các thủ tục cần thiết đề nghị Bộ Tài chính, Tổng Cục Hải quan thông báo cho Cục Hải quan và Chi Cục Hải quan các tỉnh, thành phố không thu Lệ phí xuất khẩu điều 1,0 USD/ tấn điều xuất khẩu từ ngày 01/04/2016.

 

Ban Tài chính VINACAS

10-year master-plan targets 150,000MT of cashew

File photo

A 10-year cashew sector master-plan aimed at increasing production from 50,000 metric tonnes to 150,000 metric tonnes per annum by 2025 is being discussed by government and private sector stakeholders.

The plan’s aim to increase the utilisation of installed processing capacity of 65,000 metric tonnes from 5% to 75% by 2025 is being discussed.

The sector currently has 14 processing factories within the country with a processing capacity of 60,000mt, while the country produces 50,000mt of raw nuts.

The deficit, among other challenges, stakeholder say calls for an effective dialogue between the government of Ghana and agencies responsible for implementing policies that will help promote the sector.

Worldwide demand for cashew is increasing at around 5% annually, and Fatima Alimohamed, the Agriculture Sector’s Vice Chairperson at the Association of Ghana Industries, says Ghana cannot afford not to take advantage of this opportunity.

Speaking at the first-ever National Cashew Dialogue in Accra, she said: “In short, Africa and more so Ghana needs to double its overall production to meet future needs of its population. Our focus needs to be on emerging crops other than Cocoa, and to help quench that thirst the country needs to get into the race immediately”.

Organised by the Cashew Industry Association of Ghana under the theme ‘Revitalising the Cashew Sector: An opportunity neglected by the nation’, the forum discussed what needs to be done to get the sector on the right footing.

The workshop was aimed at establishing a sector working group for the development, implementation and monitoring of national activities toward achieving a joint sector vision shared by public and private actors.

The cashew sector is seen to be one of the most promising economic boosters for Ghana, as it is said to be capable of generating between US$400 and US$500million revenue for the country.

Fatima Alimohamed lamented the lack of a dedicated budget for the cashew sector, even though it is critical for sustainable development and poverty reduction.

In spite of the disproportionately lower share of investment in the sector from government, the sector still holds much promise and potential, she added.

With enough investment and policies, the country can rival Brazil, India and Vietnam as a premier exporter of processed nuts, she said, calling for change as soon as possible.

“It is vital that cashew producers have a voice in determining policies that affect their own lives on fundamental issues. They bring a wealth of knowledge, understanding of local context and diversity of ideas.”

Source: http://www.ghanaweb.com

UAE 5th largest market for Californian almonds and climbing

Thu Jan 21, 2016

The Almond Board of California, which represents over 6,800 growers and handlers in 'The Golden  State', have released figures which show that the  UAE is now importing almost 100 million pounds of almonds a year. This makes the UAE the fifth  largest export market for Californian almonds.

The UAE's amount of imports is narrowly short of India's 124 million pounds import tally that puts the Sub-continent giant in third place as the state's most important almond importer. Vitally, the Board says both markets are "growing."

California produces 82% of the globe's almonds, harvesting about 800,000 acres of the tree nut across a 400-mile stretch from northern Tehama County to southern Kern County. Almonds are now the state's premier agricultural export with approximately 70% of its crop selling to over 90 countries worth approximately US $4.8 billion, according to the USA's Department of Agriculture.

With the almond's growing popularity as a healthy snack and ingredient, the Board will mount a major trade engagement push at next month's Gulfood exhibition - the world's largest annual food and hospitality trade show - at Dubai World Trade Centre ( DWTC ) to court increased exports to the Middle East and Sub-continent.

At the show, which will welcome more than 5,000 international companies from 120 countries from February 21-25, the Board says it will "introduce ourselves to trade and food companies across the Middle East and Africa and use it as a forum to strengthen our engagement with trade in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka."

High on the Board's agenda will be a bid to get Middle Eastern and Sub-continent buyers to sign up to its Trade Stewardship programme, which focuses on sharing technical, nutrition and consumer information with food companies looking to boost their business through almond and almond-related product sales.

"The information we provide gratis has helped several food companies across the world in handling, processing and storing almonds as an ingredient for manufacturing and, of course, as a healthy nutritious snack option," said the Board's spokesperson.

The Board has now identified the Middle East as one of three "priority regions" for trade development and is planning to launch a regional market development programme. "Our programmes bring together the three legs of market development, namely market access, trade stewardship and marketing," the Board spokesperson added.

In addition to the Almond Board of California, Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC , believes growing demand for 'health food' products is a trend emerging across the Gulfood 2016 profile.

"There's an increasing presence of healthy ingredients suppliers which, in some cases, even extends to greater involvement in the region's own agricultural production. This trend indicates the extensive public awareness campaigns implemented by regional health authorities and providers to combat rising incidences of obesity and diabetes are resulting in a mounting consumer demand for healthy eating products. With consumers become more demanding, sophisticated and wellness-aware, the domestic health food market is thriving," explained LohMirmand.

Gulfood 2016 is expected to attract 85,000-plus visitors from more than 170 countries including international heads of state, ministers, government officials and national trade associations from five continents.

Source: http://www.freshplaza.com

INC Awards Promotion and Research into the Health Benefits of Nuts and Dried Fruits with Grants of 250,000 euros

The International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) has awarded five projects totaling 250,000 euros in order to reinforce its commitment to researchers that contribute to improving the understanding of the benefits associated with the consumption of nuts and dried fruits, as well as promotion and dissemination projects.

INC has announced the recipients of the grants for research projects, with two 100,000 euro contributions for carrying out research to enhance knowledge of the health effects of nuts and dried fruits. 2015 winners were the Spanish project from Universitat Rovira i Virgili: “Effect of nut consumption on semen quality and functionality in a cohort of healthy males” and the American project from Penn State University “‘Effect of dried plums, figs, dates and raisins versus a fruit drink/punch on cardiometabolic disease risk factors”.

• Effect of nut consumption on semen quality and functionality in a cohort of healthy males (clinical study). Principal Investigator: Dr. Monica Bulló, Rovira i Virgili University, Biochemistry and Biotechnology Department, Human Nutrition Unit, Pere Virgili Health Research Institute Foundation IISPV, Reus, Spain. Co-applicants: Dr. Joan Blanco Rodríguez and Dr. Ester Anton Martorell, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.
• Effect of dried plums, figs, dates, and raisins versus a fruit drink/punch on cardiometabolic disease risk factors (clinical study). PI: Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton, Penn State University, PA, USA.

Moreover, INC has granted three promotion and dissemination projects 50,000 euros total. The objective of these contributions is to build consumer demand for nuts and dried fruits, as well as to provide information about the properties and qualities of nuts and dried fruits, or market research and activities focused on guaranteeing the understanding and knowledge of nuts and dried fruits. INC has awarded grants to the following projects:

• “Nuts & Diabetes Symposium and Presentation, 33rd International Symposium on Diabetes and Nutrition”, from the Toronto 3D Knowledge Synthesis and Clinical Trials Foundation.
• “Nuts for Life: nut growers social media education project” from the Australian Nut Industry Council and Nuts for Life.
• “Nuts about good health, The Mediterranean Diet and Nuts: unbeatably healthy!” from Nucis Italia.

INC opens Call for 2016

INC has launched its 2016 Annual Research Grant and Annual Grant for Promotion and Dissemination Projects. Those interested in participating in the calls for 2016 may submit proposals before February 29th, 2016. Both calls are open for public and private institutions, as well as non-profit organizations. INC 2016 grants will represent a total amount of 250,000 €.

Further information may be found here. https://www.nutfruit.org/what-we-do/health-nutrition/funding-opportunities/

Source: http://www.nutfruit.org

California's Almond Industry Drives Sustainability in Agriculture

 

In addition to providing wholesome nutrition and supporting good health, California’s community of more than 6,500 almond growers are committed to using sustainable farming practices that respect the environment and protect their local communities.

For decades, the Almond Board of California has invested millions of dollars in critical research leading to important advancements that continue supporting almond growers as good stewards of the land.

AIM is the latest step in a series of sustainability initiatives that aim to accelerate investment in sustainability, almond tree and farming research, and to step-up efforts to develop new partnerships and collaborations, which will drive four major initiatives to move the entire industry forward.

The California Almond Sustainability Program (CASP) shows that:

· More than 70% of almond orchards report using water-saving micro-irrigation systems.

· More than 80% of growers report using demand-based irrigation in their orchards, which means they monitor weather, soil moisture and the trees themselves to determine exactly when and how much to irrigate, rather than watering on a pre-determined schedule.

· More than 60% of almond growers use soil maps to understand the soil characteristics in their orchards. This helps them design and maintain the best possible irrigation systems for their land.”

FoodIngredientsFirst spoke with Stacey Humble, Vice President of Global Marketing, Almond Board of California: “Efficient water use and irrigation management are vital to almond growers. Innovative farming and production developments over the past two decades have helped almond growers reduce the amount of water they use per pound of almonds grown by 33%.”

The Almond Board of California is investing more than $2 million a year in independent third party research of production and environmental issues to continually evolve best practices. One of the principal innovations is groundwater recharge: “Groundwater recharge returns water to underground aquifers (collectively California’s largest water storage system) through managed flooding with excess seasonal storm waters. Basically, once water from wetter days is returned to the aquifer, it serves the greater community, not just any one almond grower, farmer, industry or individual. Through partnerships with Sustainable Conservation and the University of California, Davis, the Almond Board will take the first steps within the wider agriculture community to increase groundwater recharge on almond farm land," adds Humble.

It is too early to tell if precipitation from El Niño will help alleviate (or provide relief from) California’s ongoing and devastating drought, but this ground breaking program takes action to capitalise on that and potentially replace some of California’s depleted water resources.

The Initiatives

1. Water Management and Efficiency: work in this area will involve building on the 33 percent reduction in water used per pound of almonds achieved by the industry over the last 20 years through a range of activities. The program will also focus on accelerating almond farmer transition to more efficient irrigation scheduling and management practices to get the most crop per drop of water.

2. Sustainable Water Resources: this work stream will explore how to best leverage a unique strength of the California almond industry, its acreage, to accelerate natural flood-year groundwater recharge of aquifers. California’s aquifers are collectively the state’s largest water storage system and water recharged through this program would benefit all Californians, not just farmers. A second part of this initiative will look for opportunities to recycle water, as a way of increasing overall water availability for farmers and all Californians.

3.  Air Quality: with the ultimate aim of identifying alternatives that will result in cleaner air for all those who live in California’s Central Valley, this initiative will delve into the ways almond production impacts air quality, as well as evaluate options to decrease emissions.

4. 22nd Century Agronomics: the almond community recognizes the need to better understand and then adopt the technologies that will lead California farming into the 22nd century. This exciting initiative will see a comprehensive exploration of almond farming techniques, bringing an exploratory mindset to consider all options as to what innovations and technical “leap frogs” are needed to sustainably farm in the future.

A crucial desired outcome of the AIM campaign is that many of these projects will benefit all of the region’s farmers, and all local residents, not just almond growers. Indeed, learnings taken from AIM could benefit farmers all over the world.

Source: http://www.foodingredientsfirst.com/news/Californias-Almond-Industry-Drives-Sustainability-in-Agriculture.html?frompage=index&tracking=Headlines

Côte d'Ivoire: 33,000 tons of cashew products in the region Hambol

The region of Hambol produced 33,000 tons of cashews in 2015 and was ranked fourth producing region of Côte d'Ivoire, do we learned from the regional delegate of cotton cashew Council (CAC) Hambol, when Kone Acthoumou an interview Saturday in the AIP.

According to Mr. Koné Ivory Coast became the first producer of cashew to India. He stressed that during the 2015 campaign nearly 11 billion CFA francs were invested in Dabakala, nine billion Katiola and Niakaramadougou.

He also announced that buyers will be known after analyzing the cases filed for the issuance of accreditation that can afford to exercise. Forty buyers, 25 cooperatives and eight commercial companies are awaiting their approval.

Source: http://rti.ci/infos_economie_14549_cote-d-ivoire-33-000-tonnes-de-cajou-produits-dans-la-region-du-hambol.html

CIAG organises first national cashew discourse

The Cashew Industry Association of Ghana is organizing the first ever National Cashew Dialogue under the theme; Revitalizing the Cashew Sector: An Opportunity Neglected by the Nation.

wpid-cashew-nuts.jpgThe cashew sector can be said to be one of the most promising economic booster for Ghana but given less attention. The sector poses not less than between 400 and 500million dollars revenue to aid in the country’s current economic crisis.

With the potential prospect of cashew production in the country, it is anticipated that the crop increases from its current 50,000 to 200,000 metric tonnes annually with a processing capacity of about 90%.

The sector currently has 14 processing factories within the country with a processing capacity of 60,000 MT while the country produces 50,000 MT of raw nuts. This among other factors contributes to the need for an effective dialogue between the government of Ghana and agencies responsible for the implementation of policies that will help promote the sector.

The dialogue is expected to bring together about a Hundred (100) stakeholders within the cashew sector to have a discussion with key government organizations; The ministries of Trade and Industry, Finance and Economic Planning and The Ministry of Food and Agriculture and The Ghana Export Promotion council. It is also anticipated that the meeting will extract some commitment from these policy makers towards the development of the cashew sector.

With the support of BUSAC and African Cashew Alliance, the association has begun series of activities as part of its advocacy campaign, hoping to bring the challenges within the cashew sector before duty bearers and to chart a way forward.

The dialogue, which is a part of a six (6) months advocacy program, mainly sponsored by the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge (BUSAC) Fund will be held at the Accra International Conference Centre on the 19th of January 2016 at 9: am.

CIAG is a non-governmental organization established in August 2012 and registered in September 2013 with the Registrar General’s Department of Accra, Ghana. The association is an umbrella body of players within the cashew supply chain with the aim of organizing the entire industry in Ghana into major groupings Producers, Processors, Traders, and Service providers.

CIAG collaborates with farmers, processors and research agencies such as the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) and the Wenchi Agric Research Centre as well as international agencies such as the African Cashew initiative (ACi) and African cashew Alliance (ACA). Aims and objectives of the CIAG include:

• Promoting the interests of cashew sector in Ghana.

• Ensuring the production of high quality cashew nuts by establishing and enforcing appropriate standards.

• Promoting value-added processing of cashew nuts for both internal and external markets.

• To play an advocacy role and lobby for policy and regulatory reforms that promotes the cashew industry in Ghana

• Supporting and fostering research beneficial to the industry.

• To get its members to cooperate in the marketing of their products both locally and overseas

• Educating actors in the industry.

Source: http://newsghana.com.gh/ciag-organises-first-national-cashew-discourse/

Ivory Coast: cashew, from planting to plant

Become the largest producer of cashew nuts, Ivory Coast now faces the challenge of transformation. Several projects are in the pipeline.

The Ivory Coast has just under five years to establish itself as the largest producer of cashew nuts, ahead of India. Faced with climate problems, the Asian countries, historic leader of cashew nuts, produced only 600,000 tons this year, when Ivory Coast almost doubled its volumes and reached for the first time the 800 000 t.

This performance is the result of a reform launched in 2013 and managed by the Council of cotton and cashew (CCA), led by Malamine Sanogo. This revision of the framework was primarily designed to meet the wishes set forth by President Ouattara to optimize production - and quality - to ensure remunerative prices to producers. Improving governance in the sector has also enabled improved traceability of financial flows. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the turnover of all of the cashew sector has increased from 200 billion CFA francs in 2013-337,000,000,000 CFA francs in 2015 (514 million euros), an increase 68.5%.

It remains to address the challenge of industrialization. Only 7% of the Ivorian production is now processed locally, while India and Vietnam, the third largest producer, transform their entire harvest. "In order to increase local processing, beyond our field projects, we launched the first international exhibition to promote the equipment and cashew upgrading technologies," says Malamine Sanogo.

Government projects

To achieve a transformation rate of 35% in 2016, the government launched three major projects, all driven by the CCA. The first is the creation of an experimental unit processing 5000 t in Yamoussoukro, in partnership with the Vietnamese company Viet Mold Machine. The Institut National Polytechnique Felix Houphouet-Boigny (INPHB) in Yamoussoukro and the University of Ho Chi Minh City should provide assistance.

The second project involves the creation of a bioplastics plant (made from cashew apple juice), whose production could reach 420 000 t per year. Feasibility studies are expected to start next year. On this project, the CCA can rely on the expertise of its partners, always INPHB but also the National Institute of Scientific Research of Canada. The latest initiative, conducted with the Israelis the agro-industrial group Mitrelli, includes the construction of twelve processing plants with a capacity of between 5000 and 15 000 tons per year.

"Our goal is not to us sub-stituer the private sector, but to bring the culture of transformation and upgrading to Ivorians," says Malamine Sanogo. Private producers will also not expect any government, as demonstrated by the numerous industrial projects developed by the Singapore company Olam and Cajou Ivoire, the Ivorian businessman Vassiriki Konate.

Source: http://www.jeuneafrique.com/mag/289609/economie/cote-divoire-lanacarde-de-plantation-a-lusine/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Vì sao Tín Nghĩa “đón” được Donafoods?

Trong ngành nông nghiệp, Donafoods ví như cô gái đẹp được nhiều người săn đón.

Trong thời điểm nhiều doanh nghiệp nhà nước, nhất là doanh nghiệp trong lĩnh vực nông nghiệp, khó chào bán cổ phiếu, Công ty Chế biến Xuất nhập khẩu Nông sản Đồng Nai (Donafoods) lại được không ít nhà đầu tư săn đón. Sự hấp dẫn của Donafoods đến từ kết quả kinh doanh tốt, tăng trưởng đều, trong lúc nhiều doanh nghiệp ngành điều điêu đứng.
Vì thế, phiên chào bán cổ phần ra ngoài của Donafoods đã có ngay 3 nhà đầu tư tham gia. Sau đó, Tổng Công ty Tín Nghĩa đã nhanh chóng nắm quyền kiểm soát với tỉ lệ mua trên 51%. 2 nhà đầu tư còn lại là cá nhân và có một người liên quan đến Tín Nghĩa.
Donafoods trụ vững
Công ty Donafoods vốn kinh doanh trong lĩnh vực đầu tư vùng nguyên liệu nông sản, chủ lực là điều. Công ty được thành lập vào năm 1990, tiền thân là Xí nghiệp Chế biến Thực phẩm Xuất khẩu Đồng Nai, trực thuộc Sở Nông nghiệp và Phát triển Nông thôn Đồng Nai. Hiện, Donafoods thuộc nhóm công ty thực phẩm có quy mô xuất khẩu lớn tại Đồng Nai, với kim ngạch xuất khẩu hàng năm khoảng 44 triệu USD. Doanh thu của Donafoods chủ yếu đến từ các dịch vụ sản xuất, chế biến nhân hạt điều và dầu vỏ điều xuất khẩu.
Trong năm 2013, nhiều doanh nghiệp điều gặp khó khăn, thua lỗ trong xuất khẩu. Donafoods cũng không ngoại lệ, khi giá vốn hàng bán chiếm 90% trên tổng doanh thu. Nguyên nhân khác, Donafoods chỉ tự cung được 50% nguyên liệu đầu vào và phải nhập khẩu đến 12.000 tấn điều từ châu Phi, ảnh hưởng đáng kể đến doanh thu và lợi nhuận. Tuy nhiên, Công ty nhanh chóng vượt qua khó khăn nhờ giữ được các đơn hàng lớn và quyết liệt cắt giảm chi phí quản lý doanh nghiệp, từ mức 5% xuống còn 2% trên tổng doanh thu.
Qua năm 2014, khi các doanh nghiệp điều vẫn tiếp tục gặp khó khăn, nhiều doanh nghiệp phải đóng cửa hoặc bán đi, Donafoods vẫn ký được hợp đồng xuất khẩu trên 23 triệu USD và hợp đồng gia công chế biến 5.000 tấn sản phẩm nhân điều các loại cho Công ty MWT (Úc), Công ty Kothari (Singapore), với tổng giá trị gia công trên 500.000 USD. Donafoods vẫn kinh doanh ổn định, dù một doanh nghiệp điều rất lớn là Lafooco phải chấp nhận bán cổ phần cho quỹ đầu tư sau mấy năm điêu đứng liên tục.
Vốn điều lệ của Donafoods trước khi cổ phần hóa là 225 tỉ đồng, trong đó Nhà nước nắm giữ 30% vốn điều lệ, người lao động nắm giữ 1,88% vốn điều lệ, nhà đầu tư chiến lược nắm giữ 34% vốn điều lệ. Tuy nhiên, theo đánh giá của giới đầu tư, giá trị thực của Donafoods vào khoảng 350 tỉ đồng, trong đó Nhà nước nắm giữ 210 tỉ đồng. Sau khi cổ phần hóa, Nhà nước nắm giữ 39% và Tín Nghĩa nắm hơn 51%. Phó Giám đốc Nguyễn Trọng Trí chia sẻ, Donafoods thoái hết vốn nhà nước tại 2 công ty con để tập trung lĩnh vực kinh doanh chính.
Tín Nghĩa thêm lợi thế
Tín Nghĩa mua cổ phần Donafoods thực chất theo chỉ đạo nhằm đẩy mạnh tình hình xuất khẩu của Đồng Nai. Tuy nhiên, Tín Nghĩa cũng nhận được không ít thuận lợi từ động thái này. Trước mắt, Tín Nghĩa giảm được chi phí đầu tư vào ngành điều, có thể xuất khẩu điều, cà phê dễ dàng hơn vào thị trường Mỹ.
Nhằm đẩy mạnh xuất khẩu nông sản, thực phẩm và củng cố vị thế xuất khẩu cà phê đứng thứ 2 trong cả nước, xuất khẩu 117.000 tấn với kim ngạch 226 triệu USD, Tín Nghĩa đã mở văn phòng đại diện tại Arkansas (Mỹ) vào tháng 8.2015 và liên kết kinh doanh với Công ty Made in USA Works. Sản phẩm của Tín Nghĩa vào thị trường Mỹ dễ dàng hơn, sẽ giúp tận dụng tốt hơn những lợi thế mang lại từ Hiệp định Đối tác xuyên Thái Bình Dương (TPP).
Tổng Công ty Tín Nghĩa là doanh nghiệp lớn tại tỉnh Đồng Nai, hoạt động trong nhiều lĩnh vực, có doanh thu hằng năm xấp xỉ 10.000 tỉ đồng. Sau 26 năm phát triển, từ một doanh nghiệp nhỏ với tài sản chỉ vài chục triệu đồng, Tín Nghĩa đã trở thành Tổng Công ty với tổng tài sản lên đến hàng ngàn tỉ đồng. Hiện nay, doanh nghiệp này có 8 công ty con và 11 công ty liên doanh liên kết và 5 công ty trực thuộc.
Tín Nghĩa hoạt động trong nhiều lĩnh vực đang được coi là tiềm năng và doanh thu lớn, như đầu tư kinh doanh hạ tầng khu công nghiệp; kinh doanh xăng, dầu, nhớt, khí đốt; chế biến và kinh doanh hàng nông sản; kinh doanh dịch vụ kho cảng, vận tải đa phương thức và logistics...
Tín Nghĩa còn là một công ty khá nhanh nhạy với xu hướng của thị trường. Thời gian gần đây, khi làn sóng đầu tư từ Nhật vào Việt Nam tăng cao, Tín Nghĩa góp 55% trong tổng vốn đầu tư 772 tỉ đồng, cùng Công ty Cổ phần Forval (Nhật) và Công ty Cổ phần Cảng container Đồng Nai, thành lập Công ty Cổ phần Phát triển doanh nghiệp nhỏ và vừa Nhật Bản (JSC).
Ở mảng đầu tư khu công nghiệp, Tín Nghĩa hiện trực tiếp quản lý gần 200 nhà đầu tư, tương ứng tổng vốn đầu tư gần 5 tỉ USD. Năm 2014, Tổng Công ty thu hút 24 nhà đầu tư vào khu công nghiệp, tổng vốn đầu tư trên 250 triệu USD, dẫn đầu về số lượng thu hút các nhà đầu tư trong tỉnh Đồng Nai. Hiện nay, Tín Nghĩa đã tập trung phát triển ngành nghề kinh doanh dịch vụ kho cảng, vận tải đa phương thức và logistics... Các đầu mối kinh doanh gồm có ICD Biên Hòa, ICD Đồng Nai và cảng sông ở Khu Công nghiệp Biên Hòa I.
Kinh doanh, xuất khẩu cà phê đang đóng góp phần lớn vào doanh thu, lợi nhuận của Tín Nghĩa. Vì thế, thời gian qua, Tổng Công ty đã đầu tư mở rộng vùng trồng cà phê arabica tại Lào, diện tích khoảng 700 ha và đã có một số vườn cà phê bước vào giai đoạn thu hoạch. Theo kế hoạch, Tín Nghĩa sẽ đầu tư trồng khoảng 3.000 ha cà phê tại Lào và xây dựng nhà máy chế biến cà phê nhân theo công nghệ chế biến ướt. Vụ mùa cà phê năm 2015, Tín Nghĩa đã thành lập chi nhánh tại Bảo Lộc, Lâm Đồng. Ngoài kinh doanh cà phê xuất khẩu, chi nhánh này còn cung cấp dịch vụ chế biến cà phê, cho thuê kho nội quan, kho ngoại quan.
Dù chịu tác động mạnh trong thời gian dài khủng hoảng, suy giảm kinh tế, năm 2014, Tín Nghĩa đã đạt doanh thu 12.043 tỉ đồng, vượt kế hoạch 77% và lợi nhuận vượt kế hoạch, đạt 121 tỉ đồng.

Mai Hân

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Tanzanian govt blocks export 500 tonnes cashews

Monday, January 04, 2016

The company Sparkle Way Ltd has been blocked from exporting over 500 tonnes of raw cashew nuts by the Tanzanian government. The reason for the action is the firm's unpaid debt of Sh3.4 billion, which it owes to nut farmers in the Coast Region.

On December 18, this year, the minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Mr Mwigulu Nchemba, ordered Sparkle Way Ltd to pay the debt within 48 hours.

The regional commissioner for Coast Region, Mr Evarist Ndikilo, said he had information that until last week the company had paid Sh400 million but the government's stance is that unless the total amount of debts are paid the responsible company would not be allowed to continue with cashew nut export transactions.

The situation implies that until last week the amount of debt paid was only 33.3 per cent, with the remaining figure amounting to Sh3 billion still being demanded by hundreds of farmers in the Coast Region.

During a press conference convened by the minister in mid-December to discuss cashew nut marketing crisis in the Coast region, the representative of the company, Mr Salum Mkemi, claimed that the payment of debts worth more than 500 metric tonnes of cashew nut were not settled in time due to the poor quality of cashew nuts.

Mr Mkemi said the company was worried about incurring more costs arising from exporting the consignment to India after auctioning excise.

Source:http://www.freshplaza.com

Manufacturing sector to pick up in 2016’

January 04, 2016In

Investment banking group, FBN Capital has indicated through its Purchasing Managers Index, PMI, that Nigeria’s manufacturing sector may be recovering soon.The PMI, as described by FBN Capital, takes the outlook of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector as an indicator of the economic strength of the manufacturing sector.The report indicated a rise to 51.6 per cent from 49 per cent for September 2015, which showed a steady recovery of business activities and confidence in the manufacturing sector, while forecasting a modest improvement.As indicated in the report, Nigeria’s manufacturing sector has previously experienced a shortfall; however, while announcing huge 2015 profits, the National Cashew Association of Nigeria, NCAN, said that current global market trends showed an increase in demand for cashew.

Cashew processing will further boost the sector following the commitment expressed by NCAN to rejuvenate cashew plantations and increase the area of land under cashew production in the country. In February 2015, NCAN signed a $5 million export deal with shipping companies to export 6,700 containers of cashew nuts to Vietnam, India and other Asian countries.Also, in the last year, Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector remained focused on the growth and expansion of drug manufacturing within the country. The sector has invested $300 billion in machinery and quality upgrades as a way to end drug importation.Managing Director of Evans Medical and the President, West African Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, WAPMA, Bunmi Olaopa, said due to the upgrade of pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria, many manufacturers are presently elevating the standards of their factories, while others are on the lookout for partners.

“Many more in Nigeria and Ghana are also in the process of acquiring pre-qualification. So, the issue of low quality of drugs is now over,” she stated.The report also noted that the reading in the manufacturing sector picked up from 47 in August to 52 in September 2015.In sustaining a boost in the manufacturing sector, the report described a shift in focus towards light manufacturing such as textiles, apparel and footwear, which could boost job creation because of Nigeria’s comparative advantages. It harped on government policies to encourage a more business-friendly environment for private sector participants including foreign investors within the made-in- Nigeria initiative.

Source: http://nationalmirroronline.net