MWE Correspondent
Cashew nut auctions across the country have set a new national record after total sales revenue surpassed Sh1.2 trillion, following the sale of more than 433,000 tonnes during the ongoing 2025/2026 marketing season, which is expected to conclude in March 2026.
The Director General of the Cashew Board of Tanzania, Francis Alfred, confirmed the figures while speaking in the southern region, describing the performance as historic and a clear indication of sustained growth in the cashew subsector. He noted that the results mark the third consecutive year of significant improvement in both production volumes and auction revenues, reflecting stronger market demand, better farm-level practices, and improved auction management systems.
According to official data, cashew sales have steadily increased over the past three seasons. During the 2023/2024 season, auctions recorded sales of approximately 271,000 tonnes. This figure rose sharply to about 409,000 tonnes in the 2024/2025 season. In the current 2025/2026 season, sales have already reached 433,000 tonnes, even as auctions continue in several regions.
Alfred explained that auctions are still ongoing, particularly in parts of the Central Zone and other regions where harvesting and marketing activities are continuing. He said the final figures are expected to rise further before the season officially closes, potentially pushing revenues even higher than the current record.
The strong performance of cashew auctions has been attributed to a combination of favourable weather conditions, increased farmer participation, and tighter regulatory oversight of the auction process. Improved pricing transparency has also played a key role in restoring confidence among farmers, many of whom rely heavily on cashew farming as their primary source of income.
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Cashew nuts remain one of the country’s most important export crops, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings and rural livelihoods, particularly in southern regions such as Mtwara, Lindi and Ruvuma. Analysts say the continued growth of the sector signals a positive outlook for the broader agricultural economy, especially at a time when global demand for edible nuts is expanding.
Experts further note that the rising auction volumes suggest improvements in productivity at farm level, partly driven by government-led initiatives focused on seed quality, pest control, and farmer education. These efforts have helped stabilize production while ensuring that farmers benefit more directly from competitive auction prices.
As the season progresses, stakeholders are closely monitoring international market trends, logistics costs, and value addition opportunities, particularly local processing, which could further enhance earnings in future seasons. With auctions still underway, expectations remain high that the final outcome of the 2025/2026 season will reinforce the country’s position as a major player in the global cashew market.
For background, cashew nuts are widely traded on the global market as an important agricultural commodity, with major producers and exporters playing a crucial role in supply chains. More information on the cashew nut crop highlights its economic and nutritional importance worldwide. The auction system used in agricultural marketing has also been credited for improving price discovery and transparency, while agriculture remains a backbone of many developing economies, supporting millions of livelihoods.
As the current season heads toward its final phase, the record-breaking performance of cashew auctions stands as a strong indicator of resilience and steady progress within the sector, offering renewed optimism for farmers, traders, and policymakers alike.
