The processing plant of Sept (société d'exploitation des produits de terroir) is preparing to export its first container of Senegalese cashew nuts, after obtaining certificates and investing in new equipment. This is according to Abdoulay Ndiaye, the company's administrative and financial manager.
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Ndiaye explains: "It's not just mangoes that are grown in Senegal, other products are made here to very high quality standards. We source our cashew nuts from the Fatick region, near the Gambian border, where climatic conditions are very favorable for this product. We use a Costa Rican variety for 80% of our volumes, and have been supplying the local market since 2023. However, cashew nuts are not widely popular on the local market, and we are preparing to open up new markets for our products and will export our first container of Senegalese cashew nuts this year. We have anticipated this crucial step by investing in new equipment to considerably increase our production capacity, which will rise from 200 to 2,000 tons".
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We market cashew nuts in sizes w240 and w320, in plastic packaging, under the So-Cajou brand. We source our cashew nuts directly from producers and handle all stages of processing, from sorting, shelling, and drying to packaging. We have obtained all the certifications necessary for export, with the exception of the one scheduled for audit in June. Our cashews are harvested between May and August, with a recommended shelf life of one year but an effective shelf life of two years."
The company has benefited from the support of the NTFV initiative, by the Netherlands Foreign Affairs Ministry, in its quest to open up new markets. Ndiaye says, "This support in terms of training and access to international markets has opened up several leads for us. We see demand and credible possibilities for exporting our first containers to Turkey, France, and Canada."
For more information:
Abdoulay Ndiaye
SEPT
Tel: +221776333353
Email: [email protected]
www.sept-sn.com
