Mozambican exporters consider that the reference price for cashew nuts, set at 45 meticais per kilo, is above the value previously agreed between the players in the sector, warning that the current international climate does not favor high prices.

The position was defended on Friday (10) in Maputo by the vice-president of the Nacala Cashew Industries Association (ACIANA), Domenico Borriello, on the sidelines of the 1st Session of the Almond Committee.

"The price that was set today, after we agreed on the price at the preparatory meeting, is not what was agreed," said Borriello, stressing that "the Almond Institute of Mozambique has raised the price by another five meticais".

According to Domenico Borriello, quoted by AIMThe international market is currently under pressure from a high supply of chestnuts, which is preventing exporters from paying higher prices to producers.

"The current markets are not promoting a supply of chestnuts that allows the exporter to pay the price that the producer is asking. It's true that it's a reference price, it can go up as well as down. But the international situation at the moment dictates that the best offer would be 40 meticais a kilo. It could be 41, it could be 38, but that's the reality," said the source.

However, despite the market difficulties, Borriello highlighted the work of the Almond Institute of Mozambique (IAM) in renewing plantations, which should increase the country's production capacity in the coming years.

He pointed out that the industry depends on the availability of raw materials and that Mozambique still doesn't have enough production to sustain higher prices. "There is no industry in the world that can live without raw materials. Mozambique does not yet have enough production to guarantee a price that is participatory for the factories, so that they can process and offer Mozambican almonds on the international markets," he added.

Borriello also said that the investment made by the processing companies is a direct contribution to the national economy and advocates a review of the export tax to make the Mozambican product more competitive.

 

(Photo DR)