MP protests cashew nut prices announced by board

What you need to know:

  • CBT Director Mfaume Juma said over the weekend that the prices had gone up from Sh1,250.65 in the 2015 harvest. However, Announcing the indicative price, Mr Juma said: “A better bargain for cashew nuts is got at auctions and not through indicative pricing.”

Bagamoyo. Tandahimba MP Katani Ahmed Katani has objected the new indicative prices and suggested that the cashew nuts be sold at Sh3,000 per kilo. The Cashew nut Board of Tanzania has announced indicative prices for cashew nuts for the 2016 harvest, setting it at Sh1,300 per kilo of first grade and Sh1,040 per kilo of second grade.

CBT Director Mfaume Juma said over the weekend that the prices had gone up from Sh1,250.65 in the 2015 harvest. However, Announcing the indicative price, Mr Juma said: “A better bargain for cashew nuts is got at auctions and not through indicative pricing.” 

He added that the new season would bring about great changes, including improved cashew nut harvesting that does not include paying farmers in advance so they are paid their money in full after sales.

He said the increase in levies by primary co-operatives from Sh50 to Sh60 per kilo during the last season was recommended to enable the co-operatives discharge their duties more efficiently.