One kilo of raw cashew nuts will cost 43 meticais in the next marketing year 2021-2022. The reference price was, On Friday, approved by the Almond Committee, after consultations with actors in the value chain.

The price in question has the potential to fairly remunerate producers, local traders, processors and exporters.

It was with this purpose and in light of the regulation for the Promotion, Production, Commercialization, Processing and Export of Cashew that the Almond Committee set 43 meticais as the reference purchase price of cashew nuts for the 2021/2022 marketing year.

According to the director of the National Almond Institute of Mozambique, Ilídio Bande, cited by "O País", the new price resulted, in part, from consultation with the various actors in the cashew value chain, including producers, local traders, processors and exporters

Between opinions and suggestions, the Almond Committee decided to set the price at 43 meticais, a slight increase compared to the last cashew nut marketing season, when the kernel cost 37 meticais.

Internal factors were determinant in setting the new price, but Ilídio Bande didn't rule out the international market conjuncture, which overly imposed the adjustment.

"From January to September of this year, there is an increase in the price of almonds internationally. So if before it was around $2.3, now it's at $3.5," said Ilídio Bande.

About the international conjuncture, Ilídio Bande pointed out the influence of the African market, especially the countries in the western region.

"The prices that are practiced there are in an average partially equal to ours, so we could not stay aside from this imposition of the market," Bande said.

The director of the Almond Institute was cautious that this is only a reference price, as it may change, although not above 10 percent.

"It means it can swing ten percent less or more than 43 meticais, but that should happen within the interests of producers and buyers," our source said.

In turn, producers believe that the update of the reference price of the chestnut will encourage the market, because it is subject to revision if the market so requires.

The producers and industry associations pointed out that it is crucial for the country to keep up with the dynamics of the nut market, so that it is not disadvantaged by the prices of other countries.

"If by chance the price of almonds goes down on the international market, we also have to do downward revision," said Cabir Ibrahimo, a representative of an industrial and agricultural association based in Nampula.

Cabir Ibrahimo justified that "if we take too long to readjust the price in view of the international situation, the product will not have an outlet and, consequently, will not be sold, thus harming the producers, since they do not have conditions to store the product.

The commercialization campaign for cashew nuts starts in October of the current year and it is expected to sell about 160,000 tons of this kernel.