Côte d’Ivoire highlights strong Dutch engagement in Côte d’Ivoire’s cashew sector

The workshop comes at a strategic moment for the Ivorian cashew sector. With an estimated production of 1.55 million tonnes in 2025, Côte d’Ivoire remains the world’s leading producer and exporter of raw cashew nuts. At the same time, the country has significantly strengthened its position in processing, ranking since 2025 as the world’s third-largest processor of raw cashew nuts and the second-largest exporter of processed cashew kernels.

Strong Dutch involvement and a growing knowledge hub

The active participation of Dutch stakeholders underlined the Netherlands’ key role in the global cashew trade and its long-standing engagement in Côte d’Ivoire. As Europe’s main hub for cashew imports and trade, the Netherlands plays a crucial role in connecting Ivorian producers and processors to international markets. Representatives from Dutch companies Cornhouse and Tradin Organic were present at the workshop, contributing their market perspectives and reinforcing existing trade relationships.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Abidjan is increasingly positioning itself as a knowledge hub for the cashew sector. In this context, it recently launched the Orange Cashew Connect platform, which facilitates ongoing consultation and dialogue between actors of Dutch origin involved in the cashew value chains. The platform aims to strengthen coordination, knowledge exchange and joint action among public and private stakeholders.

In his opening remarks during the first day Arthur Kibbelaar, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy, emphasized that the workshop marks “an important step for the future of the cashew sector in Côte d’Ivoire, as well as for the economic and trade relations between our two countries.” He highlighted that Dutch importers are keen to strengthen partnerships and support the continued growth of processing capacity in Côte d’Ivoire.

Building on a decade of progress

Anne-Marie Roorda, programme manager at Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) de CBI officially opened the workshop, welcoming everybody to the Future Search, emphasizing the participatory approach of the event. Simplice Gué, Director at Conseil du Cotton et l' Anarcade (CCA), welcomed everybody at the location, the Cashew Innovation and Technology Centre (CITA) in Yamoussoukro. He highlighted the impact of the former CBI project where CBI worked with 10 SME’s and CCA on CSR. Bringing technical assistance and expertise from The Netherlands, this programme has helped strengthen industrial capacities and improve compliance with international standards such as ISO 26000 and SMETA.

A key outcome of the Future Search process is the formulation of 9 shared ambitions for the sector. Stakeholders agreed to work on this over the next 10 years and worked on corresponding action plans. The agreed ambitions are:

1. Our sector has professional, independent stakeholders and a skilled workforce
2. We have maintained our position as the world leader in raw cashew nuts
3. By 2035, we will certify sustainable, fair, and traceable cashew products using a digital system, and the ‘Ivorian cashew’ label will be recognized and valued by consumers.
4. We have funding available, accessible and tailored to the players in the sector.
5. We have reached a 70% raw nut processing rate by 2035
6. 20% of our cashew is locally consumed
7. Government policy in favor of public-private partnerships and creates spaces for dialogue to improve synergy between ecosystem stakeholders in the cashew sector
8. We have succeeded in valorizing and diversifying a large part of the by-products (apples, shells, almonds) and derived products (syrup, milk, briquettes, biochar, compost, liqueur) of the cashew tree
9. We have modernizing our processing plants with local technologies

Ivorian, Dutch and international organisations are well-positioned to contribute to different thematic areas. For instance, Lono can play a role in advancing biotechnology applications within the cashew value chain, including innovation in processing and by-product utilisation. Development organisations such as GIZ, IPD and the EU Delegation can support market access, capacity building and value chain development, while Rabobank Foundation, Oikocredit and FMO can contribute through financial solutions to farmer organisations and SMEs.

Towards deeper trade relations

And now what? Nine ambitions have been collectively formulated and each ambition in supported by concrete actions, partners and a designated coordinator. While not all outcomes may be fully realized, many can be achieved in collaboration with partners such as the Netherlands Embassy, CCA, GIZ, a potential new Combi-track, the European Union through Team Europe Initiative (TEI) approach, and many other committed players.

CBI will launch a new four-year intervention, with a strong commitment to making it as locally led as possible. Côte d’Ivoire has the knowledge and capacity to drive its own sector development, and CBI aims to move away from a donor-driven approach towards one that reinforces local ownership, while maintaining a facilitating role.

At the same time, Dutch interests remain clear. The strong presence of Dutch public and private actors reflects a shared ambition to deepen trade relations. For Dutch companies, increased local processing creates opportunities to source higher-value products while contributing to more sustainable and inclusive supply chains.

As initiator of the Future Search process, CBI will continue to play a key role in convening stakeholders, fostering alignment, and translating ambitions into concrete actions. Together with CCA, the Embassy, and other partners, this approach is expected to support a more coordinated and forward-looking development of the cashew sector, strengthening Côte d’Ivoire’s position as both a leading producer and an emerging processing hub, with the Netherlands as a strategic partner.

Article written by: Anne-Marie Roorda aroorda@cbi.eu 

For more information, please contact:   abi-lvvn@minbuza.nl