The decline in cashew production and its quality brought down cashew prices from GH 8.5 per kilogram to GH¢7.00 per kilo in 2024.
The price fluctuation has consequently influenced investors from buying cashew since the beginning of the season.
The Kintampo South cashew farmer’s union Chairman in the Bono East region, Mr. Alex Kudom, and his executives at a press conference expressed worry over the slow pace of cashew purchase.
At the conference, the union executives drew the attention of the local farmers to the remedy and mitigation strategies to meet the international market standard and attract more buyers during this cashew season.
“Ideally, high-quality cashew nuts should have a firm and crunchy texture, not too soft or mushy,” he said.
He also tackled poor storage conditions which are affecting many cashew nuts, with some nuts having lost their flavour and nutritional value and driving away investors and buyers, while urging the cashew farmers to avoid such practices.
Mr. Kudom appealed to government to pay road contractors working on the Kintampo South district to resume their work, because the road network in the area is in a deplorable state and is making it difficult for the buyers to come to the area to buy their cashew nuts.
The Second Vice Chairman of the Union, Mr. Kofi Aboagye, also urged cashew farmers to avoid using unapproved sacks (like fertilizers) and sticks to the jute cocoa sacks.
