Ivory Coast grows cashew, cotton output in boost to GDP
TLDR
- Ivory Coast cashew production reached 1.225 million tonnes in 2023, a 19.16% increase from the previous year, accounting for 40% of global supply.
- Cotton production for the 2023/2024 season in Ivory Coast surged by 50% to 347,922 tonnes, recovering from last year's pest-related depression.
- Advancements in agronomic research and high-yield cashew varieties contributed to the increased cashew output in Ivory Coast.
Ivory Coast, the world's leading producer of raw cashew nuts since 2015, achieved a production milestone of 1 million tonnes in 2022. In 2023, this figure surged by 19.16% to 1.225 million tonnes, accounting for 40% of global supply.
Simultaneously, the cotton industry is recovering from last year's severe pest-related depression. Cotton production for the 2023/2024 season reached 347,922 tonnes, a 50% increase, or 111,736 tonnes more than the 2022/2023 season.
Increased cashew output is attributed to advancements in agronomic research, high-yield cashew varieties, and enhanced producer training. Previously, Ivory Coast's cotton harvest exceeded 400,000 tonnes, positioning it among the top "white gold" producers after Benin, Burkina Faso, and Mali, which also faced pest challenges.
Key Takeaways
These cashew and cotton production improvements boost Ivory Coast's GDP, reflecting the country's efforts in agricultural development and economic resilience. The cashew sector contributes 7% to gross domestic product and has generated over 15,000 direct jobs, mostly for women. Initially forecasting 1.25 million tonnes for 2024, production was revised down to 1 million tonnes due to unfavorable climate conditions. Local cashew processing increased from 6.22% in 2016 to 21% in 2023, making Ivory Coast the third largest processor globally. The goal is to transform 50% of production locally by 2027, with around 30 industrial processing units currently operating.
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