Benin looks to cash in on Cashew waste Benin is one of Africa's main cashew producers and has seen a haul of 100,000 tonnes in the last two seasons. Until now only a small percentage of the entire fruit - the edible part - was put to use, with almost 80% of the cashew being thrown away. But now, Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) made from a by-product of the hard shell is being processed for use in industrial products as a more natural alternative.