Cambodia focuses on promoting cashew exports

By exporting more than 830,000 tonnes of raw cashew in the first seven months of this year, Cambodia has become the world's second largest exporter of the nut.

The Cambodian News Agency (AKP) cited data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries showing that this Southeast Asian country has more than 580 hectares of cashew with an annual output of 1.5 tonnes per hectare.

The Cambodian Government announced the National Policy on Cashew 2022-2027 in 2023 with an aim to turn itself into the world biggest cashew exporter.

This policy is being materialized by the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries through the establishment of three modern cashew farming communities directly connected to the market in Kampong Thom province, while providing capital and technical support to farmers, ensuring that the cashew farming communities operate smoothly with high added value and profits.

Last year, Cambodia exported more than 650,000 tonnes of raw cashew for about $837 million.

Processing is also a challenge for this country. Cambodia can produce more than 200,000 tonnes of cashew nuts per year, but its processing capacity is only equivalent to about 5% of the output, and export products are mostly fresh cashew nuts.

In the National Policy on Cashew 2022-2027, Cambodia defines three top priorities, including improving productivity and production capacity, as well as promoting industrialization to increase added value in cashew harvesting and processing by-products to 25% by 2027 and at least 50% by 2032.

The Cambodian cashew industry will also focus on boosting exports through diversifying markets, integrating multiple sectors in export activities, facilitating trade, reducing costs and enhancing competitive advantages in the market.