Cashew season targets 700,000 tonnes via online auctions

MTWARA: THE 2025/2026 cashew nut auctions are scheduled to begin on October 31st, this year according to Chairperson of the Board of Directors at the Cashew Nuts Board of Tanzania (CBT) Brigadier General Aloyce Mwanjile.

Speaking in Mtwara over the weekend, Brig Gen Mwanjile said the auctions will be conducted through online bidding facilitated by the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX).

“Preparations for the auctions are well-coordinated and include training sessions for farmers to ensure they deliver high-quality nuts,” he noted.

So far, 88 companies have registered to purchase raw cashew nuts for the season, which will run from October this year to January next year. Brig Gen Mwanjile also announced that initial market access will be restricted to local processors who own cashew processing factories.

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“Local processors without processing factories will not be issued a buying license by the Cashew Nuts Board,” he said.

CBT Director General Mr Francis Alfred said that cashew production for the 2025/2026 season is projected to reach 700,000 tonnes, an increase from 595,000 tonnes recorded in the 2024/2025 season.

He attributed the rise in production to significant government investment, particularly in the provision of agricultural inputs and technical support for farmers.

To ensure traceability and proper regulation, licensed local processors will be required to use sacks bearing their factory logos when purchasing raw cashew nuts at the primary market level.

He further directed Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Unions (AMCOs) and Agricultural and Marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS) to enforce proper management and compliance with all market entry guidelines.