Cashew

Based on the estimates of HEKS/EPER, a Swiss NGO, Cambodian growers will harvest about 244,568 tonnes of cashew nuts in 2021, a figure that would make Cambodia the fifth largest producer of cashews globally, overtaking Nigeria. However, the increase in Cambodia’s cashew production has not yet translated into the growth of its processing industry. In fact, up to 97% of Cambodian cashew nuts are exported as raw cashew nuts (RCN) to Vietnam to be processed.

97%
Exported as Raw Cashes Nuts

244,568
Tons by 2021

5TH
Largest Producer Globally

Cambodian production is likely to increase further due to the following key factors:​
  • Smallholder cashew farms in Cambodia are larger than those in competing countries.
  • The use of high-yielding varieties places Cambodia amongst the most productive cashew growers in the world.
  • Cambodian cashews are high quality in terms of both out-turn and nut size.
Key competitive factors for the cashew sub-sector:​​
  • Cambodia is well located for the export of RCN and has a competitive advantage due to its proximity to Viet Nam.
  • Cambodian harvest timing offers a competitive edge as it does not coincide with those in other big markets.
  • Cambodian processors face strong competition on two levels – competition for raw material supply and competition for kernel market share.
  • High quality, certification, and good practice may open access to other regional markets. 

Our​​ Activities

WORKSHOPS/ EVENTS/TRAINING

In February 2020, a Cashew Technical Working Group was set up and led by the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), with the aim of supporting the inter-ministry working group with the development of a Cashew Policy.

Find more information here: National Cashew Policy Technical WG

On June 8, 2020, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), chaired by HE Chan Rashi, facilitated a meeting to review and provide inputs on the draft report for the Cambodia Cashew Policy. In total, the workshop gathered 21 participants from MOC, national and international NGOs, and private cashew processing companies.
Following the presentation of Jim Fitzpatrick, an expert in agriculture research and policy analysis, the participants have discussed and provided further details on the recommendations for drafting the policy.
As a result of this meeting, a draft policy on cashew nuts will be developed by June 29, 2020.
Fun fact: can you guess how many tons of cashew nuts were produced in Cambodia in 2018?
- - -
According to research from HEKS/EPER, Cambodia produced around 181,000 tons of cashew in 2018, and 97% of these were sold unprocessed.

The Ministry of Commerce, on the morning of May 26, 2020, convened a meeting of the Technical Working Group for the Study and Draft of the Cambodian Cashew Policy to examine and provide additional inputs. The meeting was chaired by HE Chan Easy, Under Secretary of State of the Ministry of Commerce and Chairman of the Technical Working Group.
Following this meeting, the Ministry of Commerce convened another meeting on June 8, 2020, to get inputs from farmers and cashew processing companies into the draft policy.

CPSA - Cambodia Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture is pleased to have participated in a consultation meeting on the draft National Cashew Policy with representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and other development partners.

On 30 October 2021, CPSA's country director led a team including potential investors and CPSA's partners to visit the Cashew Processing Factory and Cashew Association of Cambodia (CAC) in Kampong Thom province. From the visit, a potential investment project is under consideration, an initiative on Cashew Database Development (CDC) was informed to relevant actors, especially the Department of Agro-Industry - MAFF (DAI) and CAC.

CPSA team led by Mr. Ratha Chan, Director of CPSA, welcomed the delegates from JICA led by Mr. Kodoma Hiroshi, JICA Expert and Adviser to DAI/MAFF, and Mr. Tomo Motoda, Director of Rice Holice and Koji Food Creator.

Both parties exchanged ideas on Koji process and application and one key important notice is that Rice is the best ingredient for Koji. In addition to that, we also discussed on cashew sub-sector where Top Planning (Cambodia) has invested in building a processing factory in Kampong Thom. Besides that, we also exchanged on the potential Agro-Processing Zone concept.

Mr. Ratha also shared his experience in working with multi-stakeholders in agriculture and how we could link up/support the potential investment in agri and agro investment projects in Cambodia.

Lastly, Japanese delegates really appreciated the insight that CPSA Director and looking for further collaboration in the future.

RESEARCH/PUBLICATIONS

The Cashew Working Group undertook a value chain study led by HEKS/EPER and CIRD in mid-2019. This involved information gathering, consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, and statistical analysis.

After the value chain study was finalized, the Working Group worked on drafting advice and recommendations on government policies for the sustainable development and growth of the Cambodian cashew sector.

Please find the report here: Report

This study was conducted by Cambodian Institute for Research and Rural Development (CIRD) at the request of and funded by Grow Asia’s CPSA. The study report was submitted to Cashew Working Group (CWG), which will be used as inputs for the “Cambodian cashew nut value chain assessment report” produced by HEKS Cambodia with assistance from members of CWG. This assessment aims at gathering and compiling information on the Cambodian cashew value chain to inform recommendations to the development of a cashew nut policy by the Ministry of Commerce. The main purpose of this study is to collect and analyze all relevant information/data on the value chains of cashew produced by farmers in Preh Vihear and Kampong Thom provinces in order to have a better understanding of the cashew market systems in the two target provinces. The results of this study will be used as a contribution to the cashew sector analysis that will be made for developing a policy on Cambodia Cashew Sector.

Please find the report here: Report

On October 12, 2021, the Entrepreneurship Development Fund organized a workshop on "Feasibility and Opportunity for Exporting Cashew Nuts" with the participation of experts from public and private institutions and development partners with many years of experience with cashew nuts. 

Please find the report here: Report

Mr. Norng Sivouthan

Country Director, HEKS/EPER Lead of the Cashew Working Group

“The Cashew Working Group has been active since it was established in December 2018. By improving the cashew sub-sector, we want to create a positive impact on farmers’ livelihoods. To do this, the Cashew Working Group was created in the spirit of a collaborative journey – our tagline is “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, working together is success.”

OUR CURRENT MEMBER

  • HEKS/EPER Cambodia
  • Agricultural Cooperative of Brsat Sambo Prey Kok
  • Agricultural Cooperative of Taing Kro Sao Kaksekor Chorkchey
  • Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI)
  • Cambodian Institute for Research and Development (CIRD)
  • Cashew Association of Kampong Thom
  • Department of Industrial Crops, MAFF
  • Department of Trade Policy, MOC
  • Kamya Agri-Trade
  • Khmer Organic Cooperative Co., Ltd (KOC)
  • ICCO Cooperation
  • IFAD’s Agriculture Services Programme for Innovation, Resilience and Extension (ASPIRE)
  • International Volunteers of Yamagata (IVY)
  • Pisda Aphivath Co., Ltd
  • Santana Agro Products Co., Ltd
  • Signatures of Asia Co., Ltd (SOA)
  • Specialized Cambodia Produce Co., Ltd (SCP)
  • Top Planning Japan Co., Ltd
  • USAID’s Feed the Future Cambodia Harvest II Project (Harvest II)
BECOME OUR MEMBER