Mozambican industrialists want to prevent export of raw cashew nuts

Industrialists from the cashew sector in Nampula province, the largest producer in Mozambique, are demanding a change in the law to prevent the export of raw nuts, the president of the Association of Cashew Industrialists (Aicaju) said recently.

Yunus Mahomed said that the ban on exports of raw cashew nuts is essential to ensure the supply of raw materials to processing units, ensure jobs and allow the collection of revenues and the consequent payment of taxes.

Daily newspaper Noticias reported that foreigners, mainly from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, travel to Nampula province at harvest time to buy the product directly from the producer/harvester.

Nampula province has a total of 33 cashew processing factories, 12 of which are in operation, employing about 13,500 workers the remaining 13 factories are at a standstill due to a shortage of raw materials, despite the province’s production reaching a average of 30,000 tons per year.

The provincial government recently announced it intend to buy 44,000 tons of cashew nuts to ensure the supply of raw material to factories in the province, to secure jobs and revenues for the state.

Source: http://www.macauhub.com.mo/