Nigeria’s cashew processing sector remains emerging, with total installed processing capacity estimated at around 55,750 – 60,000 metric tons of raw cashew nuts (RCN) per year across existing plants. Despite this capacity, actual processing remains well below potential, with estimates suggesting that Nigeria can process only 25,000 – 35,000 tons annually, and current utilization at roughly 8,000 – 12,000 tons per year.
This reflects a broader structural challenge: less than 10% of Nigeria’s raw cashew output is processed locally, with the overwhelming majority – over 90% — exported raw to countries like Vietnam and India for value addition. This dynamic has limited the development of local cashew value chains, industrial capacity, and employment opportunities in the sector.
Several companies and processing facilities are driving local value addition, from kernel production and export to building processing capacity and branding Nigerian cashew products. Compared to global hubs like Vietnam, most Nigerian processors are small- to medium-scale, operating below capacity due to limited working capital, seasonal supply constraints, and high financing costs. Nevertheless, these firms represent the backbone of Nigeria’s domestic processing industry.
Top players in the Nigeria’s Cashew Processing Industry
There are currently 15 active cashew processing companies in Nigeria. The top six players include:
1 Olam International (Nigeria) – One of the most established names in cashew processing and export, Olam operates one of Nigeria’s largest factory complexes. The company sources raw nuts from millions of farmers, processes them, and supplies ingredients to major brands globally. Its operations focus on local value addition, sustainability, advanced technology, and farmer training, while contributing to employment and industrial capacity.
2 Sonata Agri International Limited – Incorporated in 2021, Sonata operates in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, exporting premium, single-origin cashew kernels to the US, UK, Europe, and the Middle East. The company processes over 30,000 tonnes annually, sources directly from clusters of villages in Nigeria’s cashew belt, and works with over 10,000 smallholder farmers. Sonata holds BRC, Organic, Halal, and Kosher certifications and employs over 800 people directly, benefiting thousands more indirectly.
3 Nutslink Ltd – Based in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nutslink operates a modern processing facility with a capacity of about 20 tonnes of RCN per day, producing internationally graded cashew kernels for global markets. The company emphasizes quality control, traceability, and efficient processing, supporting farmer incomes, creating employment, and helping reduce Nigeria’s dependence on raw cashew exports.
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4 Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (cashew arm) – Entered agro-processing in 2020 as part of diversification, commissioning an ultramodern 60-tonne/day plant in Epe, Lagos in 2022. The facility was designed to support local value addition, improve export-quality output, and advance Nigeria’s cashew industrialization drive. In 2025, Julius Berger leased the plant to Eko Organic Food Industries Limited to continue operations under specialized agro-processing management while refocusing on its core construction business.
5 The M & W Nuts Company – Founded in 2016 and based in Lagos, M & W Nuts produces branded “Gourmet Cashews”, including roasted, salted, and flavored kernels, packaged to international food standards. The company emphasizes food safety, consistent taste, modern packaging, and job creation, while contributing to Nigeria’s efforts to reduce raw cashew exports. With ambitions to expand across West Africa, M & W Nuts represents the growing move toward consumer-ready, branded agricultural products.
6 Sorflex Cashew Processing Facility – Located in Rivers State, Sorflex is a major plant dedicated to converting locally sourced raw cashew nuts into high-quality kernels for domestic and export markets. With a processing capacity of around 100 tons per day, the facility uses modern equipment and quality control systems. Sorflex supports local farmers through direct supply linkages, creates employment in processing and logistics, and contributes to export diversification and inclusive economic growth in the Niger Delta.
Other Notable Processors & Exporters
Nigeria also hosts a broader network of smaller but active cashew processors and exporters. Key players include Starlink Global Ideal Ltd and Agrifert Trading LLC, known for substantial international shipments; Dream Vista Global Resources Ltd, Mafa Integrated Farms, and Cardinal Torch Co., which trade kernels domestically and internationally; and Renamy Global Resources Ltd, which partners with certified processors to supply graded kernels meeting international food safety standards.
