0 Tech transfer to Africa could kill Vietnam’s cashew industry

A plan by the HCM City University of Technology to export cashew processing technology to Africa has faced strong opposition from Vietnamese officials, who believe the move will kill one of Vietnam’s important industries.
A few days it was announced that the HCM City University of Technology has signed a contract on transferring cashew nut processing technology to Africa. The information was confirmed by Vinacas, the Vietnam Cashew Association, which said the project was signed at a cashew processing equipment exhibition, Sietta 2014, held at Abidjan in Ivory Coast.
Nguyen Van Lang, former chair of Vinacas, who was a high ranking official of the science ministry, said: “As the father of the Vietnamese cashew processing technology, I strongly protest against the technology transfer to any country.”
Lang warned that the move will seriously affect the 1,000 cashew nut processing workshops, companies and 300,000 Vietnamese workers in the cashew industry.
Vietnam is now the biggest cashew nut exporter in the world, ranking second in processing and third in material area. The cashew exports bring $2 billion a year to Vietnam, and are one of the key export items of Vietnam, including garments, oil and gas, and rice.
Nguyen Duc Thanh, chair of Vinacas, emphasized that Vietnam would not be able to stand high among the leading cashew processors and exporters in the world if it did not have modern technology. Thanh noted that countries lust for made-in-Vietnam technology, even countries with the longest histories of cashew processing like India and Brazil.
Lang warned that exporting cashew processing technology will “bring danger”, because the technology is a great advantage for Vietnam.
Meanwhile, African countries, including Ivory Coast, the country with the largest cashew area, specializing in exporting raw cashews, will become formidable rivals of Vietnam, once they master the processing technology.
Source: vietnamnet.vn

Tanzania earns $589,000 from cashew export in one day

Tanzania has earned $638,067.85 (Sh1.08 billion) from raw cashew nut export in one day, data have established.

The data from the India-based Seair Exim Solutions Information for Business show Tanzania exported 526.26 tonnes of the raw cashew nuts to India on December 24.

The Indian ports which had received cashew nut cargo from the sailed ships from Tanzania include Vizac Sea, Mangalore and Cochin Sea.

The director general of Cashew nut Board of Tanzania, Mr Mfaume Juma, said the amount of shipped cargo to India is part of more than 170, 000 metric tonnes of raw cashew nut shipped to India this year.“We have shipped huge cargo of cashew nuts. We are now closing the season. Right now there are still farmers selling cashew nuts in various auction markets,” said Mr Juma.

He also said there were also more cargoes of cashew nuts at the ports for export to India as the Asian country is the biggest market for Tanzania’s cashew nuts.

Tanzania is in the process of mobilising millions of smallholder farmers to cultivate cashew nuts as the global demand for cashews is growing, according to report circulated by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in September 2014.

The ITC said to begin with, an agreement was signed in August this year between the government-owned Commission for Science and Technology and the Mkinga District Council in Tanga Region to revive the crop.

“The soil fertility in the area is good for cashew tree cultivation. The project provides small-scale farmers in the selected four villages, many of which are women, with technology on cashew farming under the guidance of trained extension officers and experts from Naliendele Agricultural Research Institute in Mtwara,” reads part of ITC report.

Source: http://asokoinsight.com

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

We as DONAFOODS CO. are sending our warm wishes to your company team and families
wishing all of you a prosperous New Year 2015 with full of Health & Joy and Happiness .
We thank you for your support during past years & wishing to have your same in New Year

Best regards,

Nguyen Thai Hoc

Nguyen Trong Tri & Tran Trong Oai

Tran Mai Hong

 & All DONAFOODS ‘ Staffs

With competing nuts ruling higher, raw cashew price may not fall

KOCHI, NOVEMBER 18: 

The cashew market, which showed some buoyancy from mid-August till mid-October, is witnessing subdued activity. During the last three weeks, prices have slipped by a few cents from large processors and more from the small and medium processors.

According to trade sources, cashew continues to be the most reasonably priced nut moving in a relatively narrow range compared with other nuts.

Therefore “it would be reasonable to expect prices to remain in this range and maybe even move up a bit – depending on buyer behaviour,” Pankaj Sampat, a Mumbai-based dealer, told BusinessLine.Highest levels traded were W240 at $4.05-4.15 and W320 $3.60-3.70 per lb (fob). Offers/trades during the last fortnight were in the range of W240 $3.75-3.95, W320 $3.40-3.55, W450 $3.30-3.45, SW320 $3.35-3.45, butts $3.10-3.25, splits $2.95-3.05 and pieces $2.85-2.95 per lb (fob).

However, for the time being, many buyers seem to be waiting to see how market moves in coming weeks. But, some are still buying part of their requirements from reliable processors (even at higher levels).

RCN prices up

Raw Cashew Nut (RCN) market moved up between August and mid-October, with prices for West Africa RCN moving up from $1,150-1,250 to $1,350-1,550 a tonne range. Tanzania RCN traded at around $1,600 c&f. During the last 2-3 weeks, this has come down to $1,425-50.

“If processors are not able to sell kernels at higher prices, they may be slow in buying RCN which in turn might lead to some reduction in prices, but reduction will not be much since availability is limited due to a fall in Southern crop output, estimated to be less than 25 per cent of world production,” Pankaj said.

“Although we cannot be sure how market will move, especially in an uncertain situation like we face at present, our feeling is that cashew kernel market will remain in the range of $3.40-3.70 for next 3-4 months and maybe more,” he said.

- The Hindu

Source: http://cashewnews.blogspot.com

Cashew News

Cashew market started moving up slowly from mid Aug and moved up sharply during
Sept. There was good demand from all markets till early Oct. Highest levels traded were W240 at 4.05 to 4.15 and W320 at 3.60 to 3.70 FOB. Market has been quiet since middle of Oct. In the last 3 weeks, prices came down a few cents from the large processors and more from the small / medium processors.

In Weeks 45 & 46, offers / trades were in the range of W240 from 3.75 to 3.95, W320 from 3.40 to 3.55, W450 from 3.30 to 3.45, SW320 from 3.35 to 3.45, Butts from 3.10 to 3.25, Splits from 2.95 to 3.05 and Pieces from 2.85 to 2.95 FOB.

RCN market moved up between Aug to mid Oct. In 2 months, prices for West Africa RCN (harvested from Mar/Apr to Jun/Jul) moved up from 1150-1250 range to 1350-1550 range. Tanzania RCN (harvest from Oct to Dec/Jan) started trading around US$ 1600 C&F. In the last 2-3 weeks, this has come down to US$ 1425-1450 C&F. Even at this lower level, there is a disparity of 15-20 cents per lb. If processors are not able to sell kernels at higher prices, they may be slow in buying RCN – this might lead to some reduction in RCN prices but reduction will not be much since availability is limited because the Southern crop is small in quantity (less than 25% of world production).

Cashew continues to be the most reasonably priced nut moving in a relatively narrow range (compared to other nuts). It would be reasonable to expect prices to remain in this range and maybe even move up a bit – depending on buyer behavior. Will they continue to buy in small tranches which will keep market steady ? Will they buy larger volumes or longer spreads which will push market up a bit ??

For the time being, many buyers seem to be waiting to see how market moves in coming weeks before buying more since they have bought some quantities during Aug/Sep and because prices have slipped from the peak. But, some are still buying part of their requirements from reliable processors (even at higher levels).

Although we cannot be sure how market will move, specially in an uncertain situation like we have now, our feeling is that cashew kernel market will remain in range of 3.40 to 3.70 for next 3-4 months (maybe more). Prices may even move up a bit more during this period. There are very little chances of any significant decline unless the next Northern Hemishpere (India, Vietnam, West Africa) crops which contribute 75% of World Production are all very good. Even then, prices may not come down until there is a smooth flow of RCN from West Africa to India and Vietnam. It is quite possible that in 2015 we will see a different range compared to the 3.25-3.50 range that we have seen for more than 2 years now.

Would appreciate your comments on market situation, views and forecast of trend for coming months and any news / information / observations on supply and demand side…. And your interest !!

Source: https://www.facebook.com/cashewnews?fref=nf

CASHEW AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH CURRY

Ingredients:

3 lbs peeled, 1 1/2-inch chunks butternut squash, pumpkin or other winter squash
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 onion, halved and cut into half-moons
1-2 red or green Serrano chilies, seeds removed and finely chopped
1 cinnamon stick
20 fresh curry leaves or 6 dried bay leaves
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 can (14.5 ounces) lite coconut milk
1/2 cup reduced sodium vegetable or chicken broth
1/2 cup salted roasted cashews
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 cups cooked barley

Directions:
1. Sprinkle squash with salt. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large non-stick sauté pan over medium-high heat. Brown the squash in oil, turning 2-3 times, every 3 minutes; reduce heat continue to cook the squash for another 5 minutes (may need to add 1 tablespoon water if pan gets too dry). Remove squash to large bowl and set aside.
2. Heat 1/2 of the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the large sauté pan over medium-low heat, sauté onion, stirring occasionally, until deep golden, 6-8 minutes.
3. Remove onion mixture to the bowl with the browned squash and set aside.
4. Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan, add chilies, cinnamon, and curry leaves to the pan. Cook until curry leaves are fragrant, about 2 minutes.
5. Add turmeric, cumin, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, until spices are fragrant, about 1 minute.
6. Add the squash and onions, coconut milk, and broth. Bring to a boil over high heat, then cover, reduce heat, and simmer until squash is tender, 5-10 minutes.
7. Stir in cashews and lemon juice, season with salt to taste.
8. To serve: spoon butternut curry over 1 cup of brown rice, barley, or any other
ancient grain.

xx, The FabFitFun Team

Source: http://www.fabfitfun.com/

Mozambique to sell 80,000 tons of cashews this year

This current cashew campaign in Mozambique is expected to see production of 80,000 tons for sale, 17,000 tonnes more than in the previous campaign, said Filomena Maiopué, Director General of the National Cashew Institute (Incaju).

Maiopué also told Mozambican daily newspaper Notícias that of the 80,000 tons of cashew nuts available for sale, around half were produced in Nampula province, in the north of the country.

The weather conditions were more favourable this year than in 2013, and a better sale price is also expected compared to the previous campaign, which led producers to retain their crops, said the director general of Incaju, noting that smuggling cashew nuts to neighbouring countries was still a concern.

Mozambique was one of the world’s leading producers of cashew nuts until the end of the 1970s, when it produced about 200,000 tons per year. (macauhub/MZ).

Source: http://www.macauhub.com.mo/