Tanzania's annual cashew nut production is expected to reach one million tonnes by 2030, with most of the crop set to be processed locally under a government strategy aimed at increasing value addition and boosting export earnings, Deputy Minister for Agriculture David Silinde announced on June 26, 2026, in Dodoma.
Speaking during a parliamentary session, Silinde said the government is implementing a comprehensive plan to expand local processing capacity from the current 20% to over 80% by 2030. This includes incentives for investors to establish processing plants in major cashew-growing regions such as Mtwara, Lindi, and Ruvuma.
Currently, Tanzania produces about 700,000 tonnes of cashew nuts annually, but most are exported raw to countries like India and Vietnam, where they are processed and re-exported at higher prices. The new strategy aims to capture more value domestically, potentially increasing export earnings from the crop by up to 50%.
The plan also includes support for smallholder farmers through improved access to credit, better seeds, and extension services to boost yields. The government has allocated TZS 30 billion (about $12 million) in the 2026/27 budget for cashew sector development.
