<p>THE auctions of Raw Cashew Nuts (RCN) have earned the country a whopping 693bn/- in just three weeks, it has been announced. The Cashewnuts Board of Tanzania (CBT) announced that 180,483 tonnes of RCN have been sold since the cashew auctions began for the 2024-2025 trading season. CBT Director General Francis Alfred made this announcement yesterday in Mtwara Region during a press briefing on market trends and sales.</p> <p>Alfred noted that the auctions have taken place since the start of the trading season on October 11 this year. Out of the total earnings, 612bn/- has already been paid to cashew growers, with raw cashews sold at prices ranging from 3,200 to 3,300 shillings per kilogramme. In contrast, the previous trading season (2023/2024) saw average prices of only 1,850/- per kilogramme. He highlighted that production for the 2024/2025 harvest season has increased compared to last year.</p> <p>“During the last trading season, we sold 60.66 tonnes in three weeks, but this season we have sold 180,483 tonnes in the same time frame—three times more than last season,” he said, noting the high production levels for the current harvest. Last season’s production was recorded at 310,787 tonnes, while this season’s output is projected to exceed 400,000 tonnes.</p> <p>Alfred expressed gratitude to President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan for providing subsidised inputs to cashew growers, which has enabled better farming preparations. He also commended Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe for his efforts in managing agricultural activities in Vthe cashew sector.In light of the increased production, CBT has directed agricultural cooperative unions in cashew-producing regions to extend the auction days to accommodate the high volume of harvested nuts being stored in warehouses. “Due to the increased production this season, many cashew nuts are being collected and stored, which may lead to storage challenges,” Alfred explained.</p> <p>He noted that farmers are quickly bringing their cashew nuts to warehouses in hopes of selling them for better prices, resulting in a backlog at the main storage facilities. Additionally, Mtwara Port Manager Ferdinand Nyathi announced that shipments of RCN via Mtwara have commenced, with over 2,000 tonnes loaded for export this week. He stated that the port is well-equipped to handle the export of cashews from the major producing regions of Mtwara, Lindi and Ruvuma.</p>