JNEC-CI 2026: CICC charts the course to transform price volatility into a lever for sustainable growth

Abidjan, January 21, 2026 – On the sidelines of the 6th National Cashew Exporters’ Days (JNEC-CI), the Consultative International Cashew Council (CICC) delivered a strong and impactful message on the future of cashew markets in Africa.
In a noteworthy address, Mr. Malamine Sanogo, representing the CICC, called for a profound transformation: moving Africa from a mere price-taker to a player capable of influencing global price formation.

A high-level panel at the heart of the issues

This strategic reflection was conducted during a panel bringing together key players in the sector:

• Alliance for African Cashew, represented by Mr. Issakou Moussa;
• Interprofessional Agricultural Organization – Cashew, chaired by Mr. Soro Beh;
• Interprofessional Fund for Agricultural Research and Advisory Services (FIRCA), represented by Ms. Assita Traoré, Deputy Executive Director.

In opening remarks, Mr. Sanogo commended the Association of Cashew Exporters of Côte d’Ivoire (AEC-CI) on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the CICC for the successful organization of this 6th edition of the JNEC-CI, as well as all the participants for the quality of the discussions.

Price volatility: a major structural challenge

In his diagnosis, Mr. Sanogo described the volatility of cashew nut prices as a ” super factor of instability ” for the African sector.

Its impacts are felt on three fundamental pillars:

• Producers’ income, weakened by unpredictable fluctuations;
• The quality of the nut is often affected when uncertainty discourages good post-harvest practices;
• Local processing, whose competitiveness depends on better visibility on supply costs.

While acknowledging that volatility is inherent to global commodity markets, Mr. Sanogo stressed that it is exacerbated in Africa by the absence of endogenous price formation mechanisms and by a strong dependence on international buyers.

The CICC’s strategic role: to coordinate, not to operate

Faced with these challenges, the CICC representative recalled the institutional vocation of the organization, which today brings together 12 producing countries.

The CICC does not position itself as a market operator, but as a strategic architect of regional solutions.

“Our ambition is clear: to support Africa in its transition from a position of price subordination to a progressive capacity to influence global markets,” he said.

This ambition is based in particular on:

• the harmonization of regulatory frameworks;
• strengthening regional consultation;
• the implementation of effective strategic market monitoring.

Concrete tools to regulate and secure the sector

To provide a lasting response to volatility, several structural levers have been presented:

• The “CICC Route”, designed as a tool for structuring exchanges and stabilizing flows;
• Commodity exchanges, allowing for better risk management and the mobilization of financing adapted to the cashew sector;
• Public regulation mechanisms, integrating both technical realities (production, traceability, quality) and social dimensions specific to producing territories.

Towards economic sovereignty for the cashew sector

In conclusion, Mr. Sanogo reaffirmed that the future of African cashew nuts depends on bold, coordinated public policies rooted in local realities.
The CICC will continue to work to ensure that the value created by the sector is more equitably distributed and that modern regulatory and financing instruments become genuine safeguards for African producers.