Cashew farmers across Nigeria are raising alarm over what they describe as exploitation by middlemen and exporters, urging the government to regulate the market and protect their livelihoods.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Farmers say they are being forced to sell their produce at very low prices while traders and exporters make huge profits. They warn that without urgent intervention, many small-scale farmers may abandon cashew production, a crop that has become one of Nigeria’s most important non-oil exports.

The National Cashew Association of Nigeria said Wednesday that the lack of regulation in the cashew market has created opportunities for exploitation. According to the group, farmers are often left with little bargaining power because foreign buyers and local agents dictate prices.

Cashew nuts are a valuable export commodity, contributing millions of dollars to Nigeria’s economy each year. But farmers argue that the benefits rarely reach them. Instead, they claim they are trapped in a system where profits are concentrated in the hands of a few traders who control access to international markets.

“We produce the cashew, we invest in the farms, but we are not the ones enjoying the real value,” said Ibrahim Musa, a cashew farmer from Kogi State. “Middlemen take advantage of us because the government has not put in place proper regulations.”

Many farmers complain that prices offered at the farm gate are so low they barely cover production costs. For instance, while international buyers pay high rates for processed cashew nuts, local farmers selling raw cashew are often forced to accept whatever price middlemen offer.

Experts say the problem is made worse because Nigeria exports most of its cashew raw instead of processing it locally. This reduces the earnings of farmers and limits job creation within the country. Processed cashew is far more valuable on the global market.

“Until Nigeria invests in cashew processing and protects farmers with fair pricing policies, we will keep losing out,” said agricultural economist Chika Eze. “Right now, the farmers do all the hard work, but the profits are leaving the country.”

Farmers are calling for government-backed minimum prices, the creation of regulated buying centers, and policies to promote local processing industries. They also want authorities to clamp down on sharp practices by middlemen who hoard cashew and manipulate prices.

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council has previously highlighted cashew as a strategic crop for diversifying the economy away from oil. However, farmers say government promises have not yet translated into practical support on the ground.

Cashew farming is a major source of income for thousands of rural households, especially in states like Kogi, Oyo, Enugu, and Kwara. In many communities, it provides school fees for children and pays medical bills. But as profits shrink, families are struggling to survive.

“The money I make from cashew is no longer enough to take care of my family,” said Grace Ojo, a farmer in Oyo State. “If things do not change soon, I may have to cut down my trees and plant something else.”

Stakeholders warn that if farmers abandon cashew, Nigeria risks losing a vital source of foreign exchange. Neighboring countries such as Benin and Côte d’Ivoire have strengthened their cashew industries through better regulation and processing facilities, giving them a competitive edge.

Analysts say that regulating the market could help stabilize prices, encourage investment, and give farmers a fairer share of profits. They stress that Nigeria must act quickly to avoid losing ground in the global cashew trade.

For now, farmers continue to call for urgent action. “We are not asking for too much,” Musa said. “All we want is fairness and a system that rewards our hard work.”

If the government responds with stronger policies and investments in cashew processing, farmers say the industry could not only support rural communities but also boost Nigeria’s position as a top global producer.