Benin Cashew Exporters Group Launches Website

by Samantha Mensah, Aci, and Kwadwo Asare, ACA

Benin is the world’s 9^th largest producer of cashew in the world, but the country is still underrepresented on the global cashew market. The Benin exporter’s association, the National Council of Benin Cashew Exporters (CoNEC) is working to change this, and has made significant progress toward gaining international recognition and attracting business through the website for their organization, launched in January.

The creation of this new website will help outsiders recognize the potential for economic development that lies within the cashew value chain, highlighting the progress made and opportunity that lies in Benin.  In today’s competitive global village, it is imperative for industry members to collaborate in order to advance cashew business.

Guillaume Razack, VP of the newly formed National Council of Benin Cashew Exporters (CoNEC) and CEO of SWCM explains, “Benin has more than two decades of experience in cashew nut exports. Cashew nut is a major agricultural commodity export from Benin. It contributes about 8% to national export income and 28% of total agricultural exports, a significant share to Benin's GDP.”

The country is also the 3rd highest producer in Africa, with a production of about 120,000 tons and of ​​over 200,000 hectares cultivated, according to studies from the African Cashew Initiative (ACI), 2012. The Benin cashew sector has therefore great potential for development, in order to make a significant contribution in achieving the country’s economic, environmental and social goals.

CoNEC, a brainchild of Beninese cashew traders, exporters, and the Beninese Government, was inaugurated on September 6, 2012 under the leadership of former Minister of Trade, Ms. Madina Sephou. With a headquarters in the district Sègbèya (Cotonou), CoNEC is made up of 9 members. The association in itself is also testament to the growth taking place within the African cashew industry.

Members of CoNEC (source: CoNEC)

“We didn't have any platform to address our problems and discuss development of cashew nut sector in Benin,” asserted Mr. Razack. “CoNEC is an initiative of the group of exporters with the vision to organize and develop the whole cashew sector. Within a short spate of time, CoNEC had established communication links between farmers, Government and International agencies.”

Elaborating further on CoNEC’s activities, Mr. Razack said, “CoNEC has also conducted meetings between ministries, shipping companies, port authorities, clearing agents, suppliers, bankers and many others who directly or indirectly are involved in the Cashew sector to address the issues of development and find solutions for the problems facing it. CoNEC seeks to undertake many initiatives such as education of farmers about maintenance of their plantations, treatment of trees during the harvest time, post harvest storage of nuts etc. CoNEC is also planning to raise a fund for the development of the sector. We hope with our vision and efforts the cashew sector will grow rapidly in the coming years”.

Exporters, through their mother association CoNEC now hope to be a more influential link in the value chain, and are fully committed to playing their part in this reform aimed at promoting cashew in Benin. The vision is to make cashew a transformational tool for economic growth.

The launch of its website in collaboration with the government is one of the ways the association seeks to achieve this goal. CONEC’s website is a first of its kind and it is hoped that the Benin cashew sector will reap benefits that will serve as an example to other aspiring associations.

As Razak explains, “The website of CoNEC would serve as a link, connecting people around the world to the Benin cashew industry. Benin Cashew is thus now on the world map.”