Free of charge

Cashews: Vietnam hopes for a significant export increase

September 2, 2024 at 11:41 AM , Der AUDITOR
Play report as audio

HANOI. In the first seven months of the year, Vietnam has already managed to increase its exports – the hoped-for export target for 2024 is USD 3.8 billion. However, the country is also dependent on high RCN imports.

Imports exceed 3 million mt

Vietnam is by far the most important exporter of cashew nuts. However, in order to maintain this standard, the Southeast Asian country is dependent on high imports of raw cashew nuts (RCN), as only around 10% of the required quantity is harvested domestically. According to the Vietnam Cashew Association (Vinacas), imports therefore amount to more than 3 million mt per year. A large proportion of around 2.2 million mt is imported from West Africa, and Cambodia is also an important supplier. According to preliminary statistics from the Ministry of General Customs, cashew imports to Vietnam reached 291,413 mt in July with a value of more than USD 346 million, representing a volume increase of 1.9% and a value increase of 7% compared to the same month last year.

Overall, imports in the first seven months of the year totalled more than 1.7 million mt with a value of USD 2.1 billion. This is 2.5% more in volume and 0.6% more in value than in the same period last year. In this period, Cambodia was the most important supplier of RCN to Vietnam with 786,000 mt (+34% yoy). It was followed by Côte d'Ivoire with 325,000 mr (+20.5% yoy) and Ghana with 201,000 mt (+13% yoy). Prices for both domestic and imported RCN rose after the 2024 cashew harvest due to lower supply as a result of declining acreage in Vietnam.

Hopes and challenges

Vietnam's cashew exports this year are once again impressive. According to Vinacas, the country shipped a total of 451,600 mt of cashews overseas by 15 August, a good 25% more than in the same period last year. The turnover achieved totalled USD 2.55 billion. The average export price was USD 5,611/mt, 3.3% less than last year. The export target for this year is USD 3.8 billion, which would be USD 200 million more than in 2023, when 466,135 mt of cashews worth USD 3.6 billion were exported. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce is optimistic that the hoped-for export target will be achieved, but also emphasises that the cashew industry is facing challenges such as the procurement of RCN, rising production costs and the switch to sustainable production.

Stable prices in India

In India, the second most important cashew kernel producer after Vietnam, prices have remained relatively stable in recent weeks. Most recently, cashews, W320 cost USD 7,950/mt FOB India.

Cashews, India

Type

USD/mt

LP-1 9/15

9,865

LWP

6,605

SWP

5,940

W320

7,950

W450

7,235

FOB India

View more
price charts for edible nuts
price charts for dried fruit, oilseeds, spices and more

Attached Files

File icon
price chart cashews, India

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Nuts
Sep 18, 2025
ORDU. Ferrero has issued a ridiculously low offer for hazelnuts. Supplies are very much constrained with prices still on the rise. Exports have witnessed an alarmingly slow start to the season.
Nuts
Sep 18, 2025
CANBERRA/CAPE TOWN. The Australian macadamia crop will be significantly lower than expected this year, but a new project with specially optimised trees is giving cause for hope. In most producing countries, the harvest is currently in full swing.
Nuts
Sep 18, 2025
FORT WORTH. US inshell shipments have slumped by a remarkable 91% for pecans. Mixed conditions prevail for the US crop. Hope is that China, India and Mars will boost demand.
Nuts
Sep 17, 2025
HANOI/BRUSSELS. In the 2024/25 season, approximately 10% more cashews were exported worldwide than in the same period last year. While buyers such as the EU, China and the Middle East increased their imports, the picture in the US is different. EU imports rose by just under 5%.