The International Cashew Processing Equipment and Technology Show 2014, dubbed SIETTA 2014, will be held from November 26 to 28 2014, at the Palais des Sports in Treichville, Abidjan, La Côte d’Ivoire.
SIETTA 2014 is a “Show, Sell and Buy” event dedicated to the promotion of cashew processing equipment and innovative technology in Africa and the world.
Presently, only 10 per cent of the raw cashew nuts produced in Africa are processed locally.
The remaining 90 per cent of raw nuts are exported for further processing, leaving a great economic potential for many African countries largely untapped.
It is in view of this, therefore, that the establishment of a sustainable and well-functioning cashew processing industry in Africa is very essential to ensure that added value is captured locally.
The use of suitable machinery, while adhering to international food safety and labour standards, attracts global food companies to source cashew kernels from Africa. Consequently, Africa has a real opportunity to supply the increasing global demand for high quality kernels.
According to the General Director of the Cotton and Cashew Council (CCA), Mr Malamine Sanogo, “SIETTA 2014 offers a platform for cashew processors, equipment manufacturers, investors, businessmen and generally all actors along the cashew value chain to “Show, Sell & Buy” the newest innovations and cashew processing technologies from all over the world”.
He said it would also offer access to the huge potential of the African cashew sector, with a special focus on Côte d’Ivoire.
During the plenary sessions and business to business (B2B) meetings with national and international cashew experts, participants would have the opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas on cashew processing-related topics such as finance and business planning, funding possibilities and smart investments, cashew market dynamics and success factors that make cashew processing a profitable business in Africa.
In the exhibition area, equipment manufacturers from all over the world will demonstrate their cashew processing machines of all shapes and sizes suitable for high-tech and large or small-scale applications.
It is further expected that as the consumption of the highly nutritious cashew nut is still very low in many African countries, SIETTA 2014 will offer participants the opportunity to taste high quality cashew kernels, by-products and cashew dishes from all over the world. SIETTA 2014 is expected to attract more than 5,500 participants from Ghana and across the world.
SIETTA 2014 is organised by the Ivorian Cotton and Cashew Board (CCA) under the sponsorship of the President of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire.
The event will be chaired by the Minister of Industry and Mines under the auspices of the Minister of Agriculture.
The African Cashew initiative (ACi), a partner to the CCA in Côte d’Ivoire, is supporting the organisation and promotion of SIETTA 2014.