The total cashew planting area in the country reached an estimated 314,000ha in 2023, down 8,300ha compared to 2022. — Vietnam News
HANOI: Cashew firms hope to receive more support from state agencies to develop raw material areas in Cambodia and southern Laos, the Vietnam Cashew Association (Vinacas) says.
Though Vietnam was the fourth largest cashew producer in the world, the country’s cashew output only met about 12% of the needs of processing enterprises, the association said, adding that the sector imported a record quantity of 2.9 million tonnes of raw cashew in 2023.
A report from the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry said that the total cashew planting area in the country reached an estimated 314,000 ha in 2023, down 8,300 ha compared to 2022. Of this, the area under cultivation was 300,000 ha, producing over 345,000 tonnes of cashew nuts.
Businesses also suggested the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry continue researching and finding solutions for the sustainable development of the sector.
The association said priority should be given to varieties, techniques, planning and production area expansion associated with developing regional agricultural product brands.
For its part, Vinacas proposed that ministries, branches and localities hold regular meetings with the association to promptly remove difficulties for cashew firms, while creating the more favourable conditions for them, especially in accessing loan packages and minimising trade and investment barriers.
The association also called for assistance from the Industry and Trade Ministry in implementing national-level trade promotion programmes for products and the industry as a whole.
This should include the International Cashew Conference to be held at the end of February in Quang Binh province.
It will help promote Vietnam’s cashew industry domestically, regionally and internationally, the association said.
“At the same time, the ministry should also support businesses in investing, upgrading and improving technology and equipment, as well as upgrading processing facilities to meet international standards and demand,” Vinacas said.
Last year, Vietnam exported over 644,000 tonnes of cashew nuts, earning US$3.64bil, according to the General Department of Customs.
The figure represented a year-on-year rise of 24% in volume and 18% in value. The average export price was estimated at US$5,657 per tonne, down 5% compared to 2022.
Exports to major markets saw high growth in 2023 compared to the previous year, with the United Arab Emirates being the biggest importer (up 72.3% on their imports), China (50%), Saudi Arabia (46.3%) and the UK (24.1%).
In 2024, the cashew industry targets 372,000 tonnes of cashew nuts and earn US$3.7bil from exports, according to Vinacas.
Food quality and safety remained top requirements, as there were more barriers in policies and regulations on quality and food safety imposed on imported goods from overseas markets, said Vinacas chairman Pham Van Cong.
It requires cashew businesses to strictly comply with regulations and procedures and control the entire process of importing, preserving raw materials, packaging, storing and exporting cashew nuts to minimise the return of goods, causing damage to businesses and the brand of the industry, he said. — Viet Nam News/ANN
