The Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau announced today that the base price for selling cashew nuts has been set at 410 CFA francs (€0.63) per kilogram. Cashew nuts represent 90% of the country's exports.
Speaking at the official launch of the 2025 cashew marketing campaign, Rui de Barros expressed optimism that this year’s campaign will be "very good" or "even better than last year's." In 2024, the base price was 350 CFA francs per kilogram, but due to high demand, it eventually rose to 700 CFA francs.
"Cashew nuts are more than just an agricultural product; they are a symbol of our culture, our identity, and our ability to turn challenges into opportunities," the Prime Minister stated.
Government Measures for a Sustainable MarketRui de Barros emphasized that the base price was carefully determined through a collaboration between the government and industry stakeholders to ensure affordability for consumers and sustainability for producers.
The Minister of Trade, Industry, and Handicrafts, Orlando Mendes Viegas, highlighted improvements made in the 2024 campaign, including better control over smuggling to Senegal, which he believes will ensure a successful 2025 campaign.
Government data from previous years indicates that approximately 90,000 tons of cashew nuts are smuggled to neighboring countries, including Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea-Conakry.
Recently, the Guinean government has intensified border surveillance on both land and sea, with National Guard officers stationed at border checkpoints to prevent smuggling. Confiscated cashew nuts are seized by authorities.
Viegas noted that enhanced border controls with Senegal led to higher state revenues from the 2024 cashew marketing campaign.
Call for Better Business PracticesThe Secretary-General of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture, and Services, Saliu Bá, praised the government’s measures to improve the cashew business environment. However, he stressed the need for better oversight of seasonal traders who, unlike resident businesses, often fail to meet tax obligations.
Ba encouraged all stakeholders in the cashew industry to continue working towards strengthening the sector. He also pointed out that Guinea-Bissau's growing cashew production has led to the country being recognized as the second-largest producer in Africa, after Ivory Coast.
