CAC News
Phnom Penh, March 11, 2026 — With raw cashew nut (RCN) prices climbing to historic highs for this time of year, stakeholders in the regional cashew sector are preparing to discuss the future of the industry at an international conference in Phnom Penh.
Recent market developments show that prices for newly harvested raw cashew nuts in both Vietnam and Cambodia have surged over several consecutive days, raising concerns and speculation among producers, processors, and traders across the region.
In response to the rapidly evolving market situation, industry representatives are organizing a regional conference aimed at helping stakeholders better understand current production and trade dynamics affecting the cashew sector in Southeast Asia.
The conference, scheduled for on March 13, will bring together experts and representatives from across the cashew value chain. Invited participants include specialists from the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC), representatives from Vietnamese cashew processing plants, and industry leaders from Chinese cashew processing companies. The gathering will focus on analyzing recent price movements, supply conditions, and emerging market trends.
Organizers say the discussions are particularly important as the region faces several uncertainties that could affect cashew supply and pricing in the 2026 harvest season.
According to Silot, two key factors may be contributing to the current price surge. The first is unfavorable weather conditions in Cambodia, which could delay harvesting and potentially reduce production if crops are damaged. The second factor involves policy changes in several West African countries, where governments are reportedly considering or implementing restrictions on raw cashew exports in order to strengthen domestic processing industries and capture greater value from the crop.
Such measures could tighten global supplies of raw cashew nuts, as West Africa remains one of the world’s largest producing regions.
The Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia is currently reviewing whether to send an official representative to the conference due to scheduling constraints, although the CAC has been closely monitoring market developments.
Industry leaders believe that greater dialogue among producers, processors, and international buyers will be essential to navigate the shifting market conditions and ensure sustainable growth for the cashew industry in the region.
Cambodia and Vietnam are among the world’s key cashew-producing countries, and price movements in their markets often influence global trade flows for the commodity.
