(Ecofin Agency) - Ghana export promotion authority (GEPA) hopes to gain $250 million from cashew export in 2018, Ghanaweb reported.

According to Adjei Yeboah, chief of GEPA’s cashew division, this is based on positive results expected from the cashew plantations’ mass spraying program.

Recently launched in the central part of the country (Brong Ahafo), this program should increase cashew yield by 30%.

However, according to observers, the country should take advantage again from illicit cashew trade with Côte d’Ivoire in order to achieve its objective.

Estimates showed that the country, with 70, 000 tons of cashew as annual output, exported 163, 000 tons and gained about $244.5 million in 2016.

Espoir Olodo