In 2019, cashew markets got quite depressed and farmers found themselves at the wrong end of the stick. There was a lack of finance in the international market, a lack of confidence in the cashew market from Raw Cashew Nuts (RCN) traders and kernel buyers, a lack of funds at larger trading companies in this typically cash driven procurement. As a result, our C route has grown significantly, allowing farmers that did not find a market, to supply to our local companies which marketed the products through Nuts2.
The number of farmers from whom crops are purchased is growing steadily. Cashews are purchased directly from farmers as much as possible, and where necessary procurement is supplemented by purchases through traders. Direct purchases give us control over the fair price that is offered to the farmer. Purchases via traders are used to add volumes as/when required by customer demand.
