In the heart of Côte d'Ivoire, Cashew Coast spearheads a revolution in the cashew industry, transforming how cashews move from farm to table. By implementing innovative practices and cutting-edge technology, the company is enhancing the quality of cashews and improving the lives of farmers and workers throughout the supply chain.
Unlike many companies that ship raw cashews out of the country for processing, Cashew Coast processes its nuts within Côte d'Ivoire. This local processing approach offers several significant advantages:
- Reduced Carbon Footprint: Cashew Coast significantly lowers its carbon emissions by eliminating the need for long-distance shipping of raw nuts.
- Improved Freshness: Processing cashews closer to the source ensures that consumers receive fresher, higher-quality products.
- Economic Boost: Local processing creates jobs and contributes to the economic development of Côte d'Ivoire.
Cashew Coast's state-of-the-art factory in Bouaké serves as the epicentre for cashew shelling and advanced mechanized processing. It has an impressive capacity to process 19,000 tons of cashews annually.
In today's market, consumers are increasingly concerned about the origin and quality of their food. Cashew Coast addresses these concerns through:
- Rigorous Traceability: The company has implemented SAP Rural Sourcing Management, an industry cloud solution that allows for comprehensive tracking of cashews from farm to processing plant1.
- Organic Certification: Cashew Coast's commitment to organic farming ensures its products meet the highest quality and sustainability standards.
- Transparency for Consumers: By providing detailed information about the origin of our cashews, Cashew Coast empowers consumers to make informed choices.
Cashew Coast's innovative approach extends to its distribution strategy. The company has adopted a direct shipping model to supermarkets and ingredient users, which offers several benefits:
- Reduced Costs: By cutting out unnecessary middlemen, Cashew Coast can offer competitive prices while ensuring fair compensation for farmers.
- Faster Delivery: Direct shipping means that cashews reach consumers more quickly, preserving their freshness and quality.
- Enhanced Relationships: This model allows Cashew Coast to build stronger, more direct relationships with its customers.
At the heart of Cashew Coast's revolution is its commitment to the farmers who form the backbone of the industry. The company has implemented several initiatives to boost farmer productivity and improve livelihoods:
- Training and Education: Cashew Coast trains farmers on the best cashew cultivation, harvesting, and post-harvest handling practices.
- Access to Technology: Through partnerships with technology providers, Cashew Coast helps farmers access digital tools to improve their productivity and decision-making.
- Fair Pricing: The company ensures farmers receive fair cashew prices, incentivizing quality production and sustainable practices.
- Community Support: Cashew Coast's commitment extends beyond the farm, with investments in education and healthcare for farming communities.
Cashew Coast is pioneering innovative intercropping techniques, encouraging farmers to grow complementary crops alongside their cashew trees. This approach offers several benefits:
- Diversified Income: Farmers can earn additional income from secondary crops, reducing their reliance on cashews alone.
- Improved Soil Health: Intercropping can enhance soil fertility and reduce erosion, leading to more sustainable farming practices.
- Increased Biodiversity: Farmers contribute to local biodiversity by growing multiple crops, creating more resilient ecosystems.
Recognizing the importance of financial inclusion, Cashew Coast has implemented digital payment systems for its farmers:
- Secure Transactions: Digital payments reduce the risks associated with cash transactions and provide a secure way for farmers to receive payment for their crops.
- Financial Literacy: By introducing digital payments, Cashew Coast is helping to improve financial literacy among farming communities.
- Access to Financial Services: Digital payment systems can be a gateway to other financial services, such as savings accounts and microloans.
Cashew Coast's commitment to sustainability extends to its packaging and waste management practices:
- Eco-Friendly Packaging: We use sustainable materials for packaging our cashews, minimizing environmental impact.
- Waste Valorization: Cashew Coast explores innovative ways to use cashew byproducts, reducing waste and creating additional value streams.
Cashew Coast is committed to gender equality and women's empowerment throughout its operations:
- Female Leadership: The company promotes women to leadership positions, and women hold 43% of its leadership roles.
- Fair Employment Practices: Cashew Coast ensures equal opportunities and fair wages for women in its processing facilities.
- Support for Female Farmers: The company provides targeted support to female cashew farmers, helping them overcome traditional barriers in the industry.
Cashew Coast's innovative approach to the cashew supply chain serves as a model for sustainable agriculture in Africa and beyond. By focusing on local processing, traceability, farmer support, and sustainability, the company is producing high-quality cashews and contributing to the economic and social development of Côte d'Ivoire.
As consumers become increasingly conscious of the impact of their food choices, companies like Cashew Coast are leading the way in creating transparent, ethical, and sustainable supply chains. Our success demonstrates that producing premium products is possible while prioritizing social and environmental responsibility.
Visit Cashew Coast's About Us and Our Vision pages for more information about our commitment to sustainability and innovative practices.