(Ecofin Agency) - During annual forum on cashew commercialization, Senegal’s authorities announced they intend to increase cashew output to 100,000 tons, from 40,000 tons now.

Organized by Cadre de concertation des opérateurs de la filière anacarde de la Casamance (COFAC) and market regulation agency (ARM), the forum, which took place in Dakar on March 22 and 23, gathered actors from the cashew industry from Senegal, Gambia and Guinea Bissau. The forum’s topic was “Developing the trade of agricultural products”.

“Given interest in cashew, Senegal plans to sell about 100,000 tons of cashews by 2018,” said cabinet director of Ministry of trade, informal sector, consumption and promotion of local products, Augustin Yakhar, at the opening of the forum.

“Dakar decided to develop the cashew industry because of the strategic nature of the crop. This industry has become a key sector in Senegal in terms of earnings for producers since 1970,” added Mr. Yakhar.

Grown in the Casamance basin mainly, namely in Ziguinchor, Sédihiou and Kolda, cashew generates about FCFA20 billion yearly with 220,000 people working in the sector. Senegal is the 15^th cashew global producer.