Abstract
Cashew nuts are one of the main cash crops that compete strongly with groundnuts and cotton in Senegal. However, there is no clear scientific evidence to confirm or refute this argument, so this fact is not widely known. This raises a knowledge gap and justifies the need to analyze the nut quality. Raw cashew nut qualities were evaluated using the Out-turn and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method. Twelve samples of nuts were taken from producers, processors, buyers, and exporters in the four production regions in Senegal. The main quality criteria studied are: Kernel Output Ratio (KOR), Defect Rate (DR), Kernel Yield (KY) and moisture content. The results showed that the highest KOR was recorded in the nuts sourced from Ziguinchor region (45 ± 6 lbs) while the lowest was noted in nuts from Fatick region (38 ± 9). The KORs for the Kolda (42 ± 8 lbs) and Sedhiou (42 ± 5 lbs) regions are similar. The tests indicated a good quality of Senegalese cashew nuts. The average over the whole sample is 42 ± 9 lbs per 80 kg lot compared to international standards which vary from 40 to 50 lbs per 80 kg lot. Kernel yield is 24% compared to 22% applied by the largest manufacturers in Asian and South American countries. Nut Count is 193 ±40 grains per kilogram compared to 190 grains per kilogram applied by some industrial exporters. The average moisture content is 8%, confirming the international standards. The political implication of these results is that in addition to consolidating the quality of the production, it is essential to emphasize the valorization of the kernel through processing in order to create more added value, employment, and wealth for Senegal.
Highlights
Cashew nuts are positioned as one of the main cash crops [13], competing strongly with groundnuts and cotton in Senegal
Better quality nuts are obtained at the processor level (KOR is equal to 45 lbs and Kernel Yield (KY) is equal to 25%)
Defect rate, Kernel Output Ratio (KOR) and Kernel Yield are negatively related. This shows that the higher the default rate (> 24%), the poorer the production tends to be on the KY and KOR parameters
Summary
Cashew nuts are positioned as one of the main cash crops [13], competing strongly with groundnuts and cotton in Senegal. It has enabled a growing number of households to have additional income during the dry season from production activities and from artisanal processing, especially for women [25]. The country exports the bulk of its production in the form of raw nuts to India, China, and Vietnam and annually processes only 2.92% of its production in-country, i.e. 500 tonnes of nuts [25]. Cashew kernels obtained after shelling are a prestigious product for countries such as India, United States, European Union, China, United Arab Emirates and Australia
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