CAC News
Phnom Penh — The cashew industry continues to play a vital role in Cambodia’s rural economic growth, providing jobs and income to thousands of smallholder farmers across the country. Through ongoing collaboration between agricultural input companies and the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC), the Kingdom aims to enhance its processing capacity, expand market access, and solidify its reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality, sustainably produced cashews.
According to unofficial data, Cambodia earned approximately USD 1.4 billion from the export of raw cashew nuts for the last eight months, underscoring the crop’s growing contribution to the national economy. Cashew trees are particularly suited to the country’s poor, non-flooded soils, making them an important livelihood option for rural communities. CAC advises farmers not to plant cashews on high-quality farmland, preserving fertile areas for other agricultural uses.
Despite being a small, non-governmental organization with limited resources, CAC has played a key role in supporting farmers through improved cultivation techniques, raw cashew trading, and processing initiatives. The CAC has also worked to attract foreign investment by participating in international trade missions and exhibitions to showcase Cambodia’s cashew potential.
In a significant step forward, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), through its Department of Agro-Industry (DAI), has launched new training courses on post-harvest techniques and cashew nut processing. The program, led by DAI technical working group aims to strengthen the capacity of provincial agriculture officials.
The training focuses on both theory and practical applications, covering post-harvest handling, cashew nut standards and quality control, processing methods, and good hygiene practices. Once trained, provincial agriculture officials will pass on their knowledge and skills to farmers, helping improve production standards and enhance the value of Cambodia’s cashew exports.
CAC expressed its appreciation for the government’s growing support of the sector, emphasizing that such partnerships are key to ensuring sustainable growth and improved livelihoods for the country’s rural communities.
