The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has revealed that 13 by-products from the cashew apple and 19 essential by-products from the cashew fruit as a whole are rarely utilized.
NCAN National President, Dr. Ojo Ajanaku, made this disclosure in an interview on Saturday in Abuja.
He emphasized that these by-products could be processed along the value chain to enhance the cashew industry’s economic potential.
Ajanaku highlighted the need to preserve the cashew apple to facilitate processing and utilization. “There are numerous products that can be derived from the cashew apple,” he said.
“For example, the cashew apple can be used to produce cashew wine, cashew spirit, cashew oil, cashew butter, and animal feed, among others.”
He continued, “There are 13 by-products that can be obtained from the cashew apple alone, not to mention the products from the nut itself. From the nut, we can extract cashew nut shell liquid, which is used in pharmaceuticals as a biochemical. In total, there are about 19 by-products from cashew, many of which remain unharnessed due to preservation constraints.”
Ajanaku stated that efforts are being made to develop adequate storage facilities for cashew apples, which would allow the industry to explore these natural resources further and expand its foreign exchange potential.
He emphasized the importance of storing cashews immediately after harvest to maintain freshness and readiness for processing. “Such storage facilities will help in aggregating both the nut and the apple while making the center a buffer for processors,” he explained.
He pointed out that many stakeholders lack the financial capacity to process cashew products year-round, as cashew is a seasonal crop.
“Since cashew is mainly for export, we are working to ease the burden on our processors—both those who will process the apple and those who will process the raw nut,” Ajanaku said. “Our goal is to transform Nigeria into another cashew hub.”
He added that the association is preparing for the upcoming season, which will provide a clearer picture of the exchange rate value for cashew apples.
NAN
