The booming demand for dried cassava chips in China, driven by the country’s growing needs for bio-ethanol production, food products, and animal feed, presents a golden opportunity for African cassava producers. Each manufacturer in China is willing to order between 50,000 to 100,000 metric tons (MT) of dried cassava chips per month, with contracts stretching between 3 to 5 years. However, several critical challenges have hindered African exporters from fully capitalizing on this opportunity.

Addressing these challenges strategically can unlock Africa's potential in this lucrative market.

1. Price Competitiveness of African Dried Cassava Chips

One of the biggest challenges facing African cassava exporters is the higher cost of their product compared to competitors from Southeast Asia. The average CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) price of African dried cassava chips is around $400 per MT, while Southeast Asian suppliers can offer as low as $320 per MT.

To improve price competitiveness, African cassava producers need to focus on cost-reduction strategies:

·         Scaling up Production: Many African producers operate on a small scale, which increases costs. By investing in large-scale production facilities or establishing cassava processing cooperatives, they can achieve economies of scale, bringing down the overall cost per ton.

·         Adopting Modern Processing Technologies: Modern machinery that increases drying efficiency and reduces energy consumption can significantly lower production costs. Government incentives or partnerships with technology providers can help producers modernize their processing operations.

·         Investing in Renewable Energy for Processing: Reducing energy costs by incorporating renewable energy solutions, such as solar or biomass, for drying and processing facilities can provide long-term cost savings.

2. Navigating the GACC Certification Process

Exporting agricultural products to China requires obtaining certification from the General Administration of Customs China (GACC). The complexity and slow processing time of the GACC certification process are significant bottlenecks for African exporters.

To address this, the following strategies could be employed:

·         Government-to-Government Cooperation: African governments can engage in bilateral negotiations with Chinese authorities to simplify and fast-track the certification process for African exporters. Signing memorandums of understanding (MOUs) that provide expedited pathways for GACC approvals can reduce delays.

·         Capacity Building and Training: Exporters often struggle with the technicalities of meeting Chinese regulatory standards. Industry associations and government bodies can provide targeted training programs for cassava producers and exporters to ensure they meet the stringent quality and phytosanitary requirements for GACC certification.

·         Certification Support Services: Establishing local certification centers or collaborating with GACC-accredited agencies within Africa can ease the burden of exporting by offering support in preparing and processing the required documentation.

3. High Transport Costs from Africa to China

Despite the preferential rates offered by COSCO for shipping between Africa and China, transport costs remain significantly higher than those between Southeast Asia and China. The lengthy sea routes and limited container availability further exacerbate the problem.

To alleviate the high transport costs, African exporters should consider the following:

·         Consolidated Shipping: Exporters can work together to create shared shipping containers, filling containers with goods from multiple suppliers. This would lower individual shipping costs, making the export process more affordable. Regional exporters' associations could play a key role in facilitating these collaborations.

·         Strategic Use of Transshipment Routes: Shipping dried cassava chips via transshipment hubs such as Singapore or Dubai could lower direct shipping costs by leveraging economies of scale on frequently traveled shipping lanes.

·         Investing in Inland Logistics: Transporting fresh cassava from farms to processing sites is often inefficient due to poor infrastructure. Governments should prioritize improving rural roads and transportation systems. Additionally, using low-cost transportation alternatives such as rail or river transport where possible could lower logistics costs from farm to processing sites.

4. Reducing Production Costs for Fresh Cassava Roots

The cost of producing fresh cassava roots is a significant factor in the overall pricing of dried cassava chips. Several factors, including farm productivity, labor costs, and the expense of transporting cassava from farms to processing sites, influence this cost. Here are a few approaches to reduce production costs:

·         Adopting High-Yield Cassava Varieties: Investing in agricultural research and providing farmers with access to high-yield, drought-resistant cassava varieties can increase cassava production while reducing the per-unit cost of fresh cassava.

·         Improving Farm-to-Market Infrastructure: Poor Road infrastructure in many cassava-producing regions increases transportation costs. Public investment in rural road networks, including feeder roads that connect farms to processing sites, can drastically reduce the transport cost of fresh cassava.

·         Strengthening Cooperative Farming Models: Encouraging cooperative farming models where smallholder farmers pool resources can reduce production costs. Cooperatives can buy inputs (fertilizers, seeds) in bulk at discounted prices, share farming equipment, and increase bargaining power for better prices with buyers.

5. Addressing Post-Harvest Losses Through Better Storage Infrastructure

Fresh cassava roots are highly perishable, and the lack of storage infrastructure in many parts of Africa results in significant post-harvest losses. Building proper storage facilities and improving preservation techniques for fresh cassava roots is critical for reducing these losses.

·         Investing in Cassava Storage Solutions: Solar-powered cold storage, low-cost silos, and improved drying techniques for cassava roots can extend their shelf life and minimize losses before processing. Private investment and public-private partnerships can help develop and deploy these storage technologies in rural areas where cassava is produced.

·         Supporting Post-Harvest Technology Development: Collaboration with agricultural universities and research centers can result in innovations that improve cassava storage. For instance, adopting fermentation techniques or chemical treatments to delay spoilage can preserve cassava for longer durations.

Conclusion

While the challenges of exporting African dried cassava chips to China are significant, they are not insurmountable. By reducing production and transport costs, navigating the GACC certification process, and investing in modern storage and processing technologies, African cassava producers can increase their competitiveness in the global market. Collaborative efforts between governments, industry stakeholders, and the private sector are key to addressing these challenges and tapping into the enormous demand for cassava in China.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post and learned something new and useful from it. If you did, please share it with your friends and colleagues who might be interested in Agriculture and Agribusiness.

Mr. Kosona Chriv

Chief Revenue Officer (CRO)

Sahel Agri-Sol / Solina Group

Sahel Agri-Sol

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Sahel Agri-Sol, an agribusiness group headquartered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, with operations spanning West and East Africa, is committed to bringing the finest agricultural products from the Sahel and surrounding regions to the global marketplace.

Our mission is rooted in promoting inclusive economic growth, fostering sustainable development for farming communities, and preserving their cultural and environmental heritage.

By partnering closely with agricultural cooperatives and local producers across the Sahel, West, and East Africa, we guarantee fair compensation for their premium crops, driving prosperity and resilience in rural areas.