Cashew nut farmers turn back to brokers

Mr Muhara said the ban on the export of Kenya’s popular cashew nuts was likely to see more processing plants being set up in the country boosting competition, prices and transfer technology.

The government’s participation through NCPB was intended to regulate the farm gate prices but the board is yet to be active on the ground, largely due to budgetary constraints.

Cashew nuts production has fallen sharply in the country and reached 10,000 tonnes last year compared to 14,000 metric tonnes three years ago and against a potential of 150,000 tonnes a year.

The income generated by cashew nuts also declined from $ 3.75 million to $ 3.25 during the same period.