Cassava Market Summary

Cassava Market Overview

A member of the Euphorbia flowering plant family, cassava roots and leaves contain traces of the poison cyanide. As such, cassava must be ground, boiled, baked, dried, fermented, or fried before consumption to prevent poisoning. Cassava root is estimated to contain between 25 to 30% starch although the percentage varies. The most well known form of cassava in the United States involves processing the root into tapioca pearls often enjoyed in bubble tea or tapioca pudding.

Types & Varieties of Cassava

Cassava has a significant number of varieties, ranging in taste from bitter to sweet, but the root crop is not widely grown in the United States. Given its importance to millions elsewhere in the world, there are concerted efforts to develop new varietals adaptable to changing climes. Cultivars are typically classed by pigmentation, leaf shape, stem, and root type, with flesh colors varying from yellow to white.

The Cultivation of Cassava

Cassava is grown by cutting mature stems into 12-inch propagules or ‘stakes.’ These are then planted vertically, partially exposed, with the cut facing up or buried in ditches horizontally under two to three inches of soil. Most cassava is planted by hand, however, there are mechanical planters available. Roots and shoots begin sprouting quickly but the plant itself grows slowly, needing weed control. Cassava thrives in warm, sunny conditions in acidic or alkaline soils and can even grow in marginal soils. Plants are drought tolerant but very sensitive to frost, requiring around 8 months of warm weather to produce a viable tuber. The tuber can be left underground for more than one season to allow for additional growth, but, if left too long it will become inedible. In most cases the tuber is harvested by hand, pulling up by the base. Care must be taken not to damage the root as that may lead to reduced shelf life. Shelf life is fairly short, typically from a few days up to 2 weeks, especially if leaves (which are also edible) are removed prior to harvest.

Pests & Diseases Affecting Cassava

Anthracnose leads to cankers on the stems, droopy leaves, and the death of shoots, usually spreading at the beginning of the wet season through spores in the wind. Cassava brown leaf spot is a fungus that causes brown spotting on leaves and can be prevented through careful propagation and the removal of weeds. Witches bloom significantly affects cassava crops in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It is best controlled by good crop management and the destruction of any infected specimens. African root and tuber scale occur across Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo, typically attacking young plants, leading to shriveling and eventual plant death. Cassava scale can be identified by a white-waxy substance on stems and wilted, droopy leaves. Various types of grasshoppers also target cassava, specifically the variegated grasshopper and elegant grasshopper, which attack seedlings but can be controlled by pesticides. References: NextGen Cassava Breeding Project, Pennsylvania State University Plant Village, Purdue University, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, University of Arkansas.

Cassava Shipping Volume