After a difficult year for the cashew industry, the Senegalese government has announced a series of measures to encourage cashew processing, prevent the entire crop from being exported, and thus give the industry a chance to grow. Here are some explanations. Have the defenders of the cashew industry been heard? The campaign, which begins at the end of April, is in any case beginning under better auspices in Senegal , after a 2024 year marked by a poor harvest: up to 70% less cashew due to high temperatures and a surge in prices, linked to the small quantity of cashew nuts harvested. The State has decided to take measures. First, require exporters to obtain approval from the authorities. The goal is to ensure traceability of these players, who come mainly from India and Vietnam, respectively the world's two largest producers of cashew nuts, and thus regulate the export market. n export tax of 32 CFA francs per kg Another measure: tax cashew exports at a rate of 32 CFA francs per kilo of raw cashew nuts exported. Operators in the sector have long been calling for this tax to encourage cashew processing and prevent everything from being exported in its raw state. The money raised should be used to support the development of the sector and also finance the processing bonus: 150 CFA francs will be paid for each kilo of cashew nuts processed and exported. Processing, the weak link in the cashew industry Processing is the weak link in Senegal's cashew industry. With approximately 2,000 tons of raw cashew nuts processed each year, the sector represents only 3% of national production. But it's growing, say cashew advocates, who hope to increase processing to 10% by 2027, which would create crucial jobs for the country. Currently, the country's eleven processing units employ 3,050 people. Finally, the last measure: securing a stock of 6,000 tons of cashews for Senegalese processing companies. Operators are satisfied. All that remains is to hope that this year's harvest will be successful.