By Atoyebi Nike
The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has raised the alarm over the activities of foreign middlemen disrupting the country’s cashew industry.
NCAN President Ademola Adesokan accused foreign traders of bypassing local processors and buying directly from farmers at inflated prices, exploiting them and violating international trade standards. He called for stronger regulation involving customs and immigration to protect the supply chain.
“The industry is in urgent need of structure to protect the integrity of the supply chain,” Adesokan warned, noting that many farmers now struggle to sell at fair prices, pushing them into debt.
NCAN’s National General Secretary, Olarotimi Ayeka, said the unregulated trade has cost Nigeria billions of naira and weakened its international reputation. He explained that foreign buyers often flood the market during peak season, purchase massive quantities, then abruptly leave, creating surpluses and depressing local prices.
The crisis has deepened internal divisions within NCAN, following the dismissal of former president Dr. Ojo Joseph Ajanaku, who rejected allegations of mismanagement.
Industry stakeholders fear that without swift government intervention, Nigeria could lose its competitive edge to smaller cashew-producing nations, jeopardizing thousands of livelihoods in the sector.
