Phnom Penh — Cambodia generated more than USD 1.5 billion from the export of raw cashew nuts in 2025, after shipping over one million tons to international markets, according to unofficial data from the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC).

Mr. Suy Kokthean, Vice President of the CAC, told reporters that the majority of Cambodia’s raw cashew exports were destined for Vietnam, with additional shipments going to India, China, and several other countries.

He described the cashew sector’s performance in 2025 as “excellent,” noting that farmers benefited from both high yields and strong market prices. During the harvest season, fresh cashew nuts sold at an average of 5,000 riels per kilogram, while dried cashews reached around 6,000 riels per kilogram.

Challenges for Local Processors

Despite the positive outlook for farmers, Mr. Kokthean said the high prices created difficulties for local cashew processors, who struggled to compete with prices offered by international exporters. He explained that elevated raw material costs, combined with limited processing technology, have pushed up production expenses, making it difficult for Cambodian processors to remain competitive.

Outlook for 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, Mr. Kokthean expects cashew prices to remain strong, which would continue to benefit farmers—particularly as some major cashew-producing countries have imposed export bans. However, he cautioned that yields next year could be affected by climate conditions.

He noted that unusually cold weather at the beginning of this year has slowed flowering and budding in some cashew trees. “If weather conditions return to normal by February, production may recover,” he said.

Expanding Processed Cashew Markets

In previous statements, senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce have expressed optimism about expanding export markets for processed Cambodian cashew products, especially in Europe, the United States, China, Australia, and Japan. Currently, Cambodian cashew products are sold in 16,320 Family Mart outlets across Japan.

Speaking earlier to Fresh News, H.E. Samheng Bora, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce, urged increased investment in cashew processing to enhance export value and support the objectives of Cambodia’s national development strategy.

Under the National Policy on Cashews 2022–2027, officially launched in 2023, the government aims to process 25 percent of the cashew harvest domestically by 2027 and at least 50 percent by 2032. However, in 2025, only 22,600 tons, or 2.4 percent of total production, were processed locally—highlighting the need for accelerated investment in processing capacity.

Reference Fresh News Asia