Cashew
Grown in the North and exported raw; local shelling remains an opportunity (volumes to be confirmed).
Nord · Nord-Est · Nord-Ouest·Low confidence — volumes to be confirmed
Example abroad: Côte d'Ivoire exports most of its cashews raw, and the value is created elsewhere at the shelling stage. An opportunity for Haiti — not an existing plant, and the volumes remain to be confirmed.
From the land to the finished product
The real value chain, showing what's already done in Haiti and what remains to be developed.
1/11 steps
already done in Haiti
The missing steps are done elsewhere — that's where value and jobs are created.
6. Shelling
Missing in Haiti💰 High value / jobsProcess more in Haiti
Better local processing can create more jobs, increase producers' income and develop higher value-added products.
In the field
The people who grow, process and add value to this resource in Haiti.
Where is it produced?
Identified production areas:
Value chain players
Producers, cooperatives, businesses and processing units linked to this resource.
Opportunities to develop
The missing links in the value chain: development ideas, not existing infrastructure.
Opening the shell to release the kernel. Key step. Missing — this is where the value begins.
Removing the thin skin (testa). Very labor-intensive. Missing — strong job potential.
Grading kernels by size and quality: sets the price. Missing.
Removing impurities (soil, stones) before processing. Missing — no plant at scale.
Sorting by size (sieve) for consistent shelling. Missing.
Steam for 20–25 min to soften the shell without breaking the kernel. Missing.
Drying the kernels (~80°C, ~8 h) to loosen the skin. Missing.
Vacuum-sealing / boxing, ready for shipment. Missing.
Ready-to-eat kernels (vs raw nuts) — far higher value. Missing: Haiti exports the raw nut.
Reference model: Model: Vietnam · India · Côte d'Ivoire.
Sources: Haiti-Now · IDB · CBI · Côte d'Ivoire comparison (Ecofin)
Illustrative, sourced content — not contractual. A “missing” step is a processing opportunity, not existing infrastructure. Local volumes to be confirmed (last agricultural census: 2009).