Poor cashew harvest in Côte d’Ivoire’s Bounkani region

Côte d’Ivoire’s cashew sector faces a challenging harvest this season, with the Bounkani region in the northeast particularly hard hit. The Conseil Coton Anacarde projected a total production of 1.3 million tons of cashew nuts, a figure consistent with recent years but representing a significant drop of 200,000 tons compared to the previous season. The decline is attributed to erratic rainfall patterns, which have disrupted the flowering cycle of cashew trees.

Kouamé Ouattara, a farmer from Bouna in the Bounkani region, shared his struggles. «Three years ago, I harvested 500 kg per hectare. This year, I barely managed to collect two bags across my 3 hectares», he lamented. Ouattara pointed to a critical shift in the rainy season. «Typically, heavy rains in November and December help the cashew trees bloom. But this year, the rain stopped in October. October through February passed without a drop, leaving the trees unable to flower. Once flowering fails, it takes a full year to recover. That’s why this harvest season has been a failure».

The consequences extend beyond cashew production. Local beekeepers, who often place hives in cashew orchards, are also suffering. Koffi Ouattara, president of the Koflangué beekeepers’ association, noted, «We’re experiencing a severe shortage of honey this year. Last year, we harvested 100 liters, but this season, we’ve only managed 30 liters. It’s a significant loss for us».

Addressing farming challenges

While climate factors play a major role, experts highlight the impact of poor farming practices. Dr. Sibirina Soro, a researcher at the University of Daloa and national coordinator for cashew research, explained, «Much of the issue stems from incorrect tree density in orchards. Many plantations resemble dense forests because initial planting densities were not maintained. The recommended density is 100 trees per hectare».

Dr. Soro also emphasized the need to train farmers in pest management, as Ivorian cashew producers avoid chemical treatments. Without adequate support, they remain vulnerable to crop losses during poor harvest years.