Mozambique: Cashew nut processing factory expects to double production

Mozambican cashew nut processing factory, Macia Castanha Moçambique (MCM), located in Macia, in Mozambique’s Gaza province, expects this year to process 1,000 tonnes of cashew nuts, the factory’s owner said.

Speaking to Mozambican newspaper Notícias, Mussá Cassamo Mussá said that the unit currently had capacity to process 1,000 tonnes of cashews per year, but that by acquiring electrical machinery production could be doubled.

At the moment MCM has over 500 tonnes of cashews in its warehouses.

He said that the only problem was a lack of work force, adding that this had led to production dropping and contracts not being signed with foreign buyers.

“This is affecting production, and so due to this difficulty I cannot close deals with foreign nut buyers, as we cannot meet the demand from other markets,” said Mussá.

Every year the company exports 100 tonnes of cashew nuts to foreign markets, which is a small amount due to low levels of production.

As well as exporting to South Africa, MCM sells its production on the local market, particularly to wholesalers.

Mussá said that this season had been overshadowed by exporters of unprocessed cashews entering the market, as they had led producers to raise their prices, which makes it difficult for factories to acquire the raw materials.

He added that this year the price of raw cashews had risen substantially, and now stood at 13.5 meticals per kilo.


Source: macauhub.com.mo

Publication date: 4/29/2009