The National Cashew Association of Nigeria has rejected plans to ban raw cashew nut exports.
The group said the policy will affect farmers and reduce income across the sector.
President Ojo Ajanaku spoke in Abuja at a stakeholders’ meeting.
He said farmers should not fund local processing through restricted exports.
He said, “Our farmers cannot be made to subsidise processing in disguise.”
He said Nigeria’s cashew farmers operate on small farms and face high costs.
He said transport costs take up to 40 percent of earnings.
He said labour costs take about 30 percent of production expenses.
He said Nigeria once led global cashew production but now trails Côte d’Ivoire.
He said local processors face high interest rates and high energy costs.
He said, “It does not make economic sense to endanger five million livelihoods in an attempt to create 35,000 jobs.”
He said the sector supports over five million people.
He said banning exports will not solve production or financing problems.
He called for low-interest loans for processors instead of export restrictions.
The group also raised concerns about leadership disputes within NCAN.
It said external interests are influencing internal disagreements.
Stakeholders agreed to write to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
They asked the minister to stay neutral in the leadership dispute.
They also suspended two association officials for investigation.
James Emejo and Mariam Adedokun
