Malawi: Going nuts over export possibilities

Malawi is one of the world’s top producers of macademia nuts, but the crop does not make it into the top five of the country’s exports in terms of revenue generated. Topping the bill currently are tobacco, sugar, tea and cotton.

The country faces a currency shortage at present and is putting into place plans to take advantage of its position as a producer of macademias, ranking alongside Australia and South Africa.

Industry and Trade Minister, John Bande said that the government wants to capitalise on macademia production to turn the country’s economic fortunes. “This is in view of the contribution the crop can make to import-substitution as well as generation of foreign exchange.

Malawi has the potential to export significant volumes of macadamia nuts, particularly if the country employs organic means of production,” Bande said.

He also said the nut has so many advantages, among them the fact that it can be eaten raw, used as an input in bakery, confectionery, chocolate making, and cosmetic industries in the production of skin care products. Because of this, he said his ministry has been active in promoting the production of the nuts. “The Ministry is currently in the process of registering one macadamia cooperative society in Mwanza District. This cooperative society will be duly registered once all preparations and capacity development of leaders and members are completed.”

He added that that ministry has an agreement with the European Union which would help to enable successful European export of Malawian produce.

Source: www.bnltimes.com

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