(Ecofin Agency) - On February 19, the cotton and cashew council (CCA) of Côte d’Ivoire announced a set of measures to fight the illegal transit of cashew to neighboring countries.

“From now on, no vehicle carrying cashew or cargo turned away at the entrance of the port stores will cross borders,” the council indicated in a memo addressed to the sector’s operators.

Moreover, the regulator stated that “the stores and collection centers located in areas adjacent to the border will be systematically and immediately closed until further notice" adding that "Any offender who will challenge these measures will face sanctions that may go as far as the withdrawal of their license”.

For the record, the 2018 marketing campaign opened with an initial price of CFA500 per kg but many exporters indicate that the cost is CFA700 in Bondoukoun (North-East, near Ghana) and exceeds CFA900 per kg at the border.

The country expects 750,000 tons of cashew this season.

Espoir Olodo