Cashew nut production in Mozambique may be lower than 95,000 ton projection this year

Cashew nut production in Mozambique this year may not reach the forecast of 95,000 tons due to a number of factors whose real impact is still difficult to determine, said the director of the National Cashew Institute (INCAJU), Filomena Maiópuè.

Cited by daily newspaper Notícias, Maiopué noted factors such as disease, climate change and political and military tension as possibly having a negative effect on the 2013/14 season.

Noting that in the north of the country, particularly in the provinces of Nampula and Cabo Delgado, the weather in the last few periods of blossoming and fruiting of the plants were not favourable, but she said that if there was a drop in production it would not be drastic and was not expected to fall below 90,000 tons.

In the central region, mainly in Sofala province, the situation was different as there are a lot of cashew nuts and producers and rural workers are now harvesting them. In Zambézia province the situation is better than in the previous season.

In the south, specifically in Inhambane and Gaza province, the situation is very good, Maiopué said, adding that by February “we will have a precise idea about what will happen to production overall.”

Source: macauhub.com.mo