- In the 1960s, Mozambique produced half of the world’s raw cashew nuts, processing most of the crops domestically.
- The industry was crushed by civil war (1977-1992) and the World Bank (1990s) instructing the government to remove controls and cut taxes on raw nut exports.
- Domestic processors shutdown, destroying 8,000 good jobs that supported many households.
- In 2001, Mozambique’s government reversed course by implementing a 18-22% tax on raw nut exports.
- While this has revived domestic processing, the export tax hurts 1.3 million nut farmers.
