Tanzania is the largest cashew producer in East Africa and Africa’s third-largest cashew grower after Nigeria and Ivory Coast.

Cashew nuts in Tanzania are among the leading export cash crops after coffee and cotton generating USD 353.1 million in 2019. Major cashew growing areas in Tanzania include Mtwara, Lindi, Ruvuma, and Tanga. The Southern region of Tanzania (Mtwara and Lindi) regions contributes more than 80% to the national cashew production. Tanzania is the first African country to conduct research for releasing cashew hybrid varieties. The country is known to have one of the best cashew research programs in Africa.

Tridge’s cashew nuts are sustainably sourced from the country’s three main producing areas Tandahimba, Newala, and Masasi renowned for their good taste and quality. The sourcing process includes buying and quality inspection of the cashew, drying, grading, and packaging.

The cashew is first collected through government-regulated farmers’ Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS) in producing regions such as Newala, Tandahimba, and Masasi then sold by Cooperative Unions through auction in the Mtwara region. After bagging in 80kg jute bags then it is packed into either 20 or 40 feet containers, to export it to destinations through Mtwara or Dar es Salaam Port.

The main harvesting and marketing period occurs from October-January.