Cambodia’s Cashew Nut Export Performance in 2024: Record Growth and Strategic Opportunities
Cambodia has made remarkable strides in the global cashew industry, positioning itself as one of the top producers and exporters of raw cashew nuts. In 2024, the Kingdom achieved record-breaking export figures, driven by increased production, favorable market conditions, and robust demand from neighboring Vietnam.
🌿 2024 Export Highlights
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Cambodia exported approximately 815,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts in 2024, representing a 24% increase in volume compared to 2023. These exports generated USD 1.15 billion in revenue, marking a 31% year-on-year increase in export earnings.
📈 Production Growth
Total national production in 2024 reached approximately 850,000 tonnes, up from around 670,000 tonnes in 2023. The increase is attributed to favorable weather conditions and expansion of cultivation areas. Cambodia currently has over 700,000 hectares of cashew plantations, with 580,000 hectares harvested in 2024.
🔹 Source: Cambodia Tribune, June 2024
🌏 Export Market: Vietnam Dominates
Vietnam remains Cambodia’s primary export destination, purchasing approximately 97% of the Kingdom’s raw cashew output in 2024—around 795,000 tonnes. Vietnamese cashew processors rely heavily on Cambodian supply due to its superior quality and large kernel size.
🔹 Source: Phnom Penh Post, March 2024
🏭 Local Processing Capacity: Still a Challenge
Despite strong production and export volumes, value-added processing within Cambodia remains limited. The country has approximately 52 cashew processing enterprises, most of which are small-scale. Only six medium-sized factories are operating, with the largest handling up to 140,000 tonnes per year.
In the first half of 2024, processed cashew exports dropped to just 88 tonnes, down 87% year-on-year, highlighting the limited domestic capacity.
🔹 Source: Khmer Times, July 2024
However, a milestone was achieved in November 2024, when Cambodia exported 250 tonnes of processed cashew nuts to the European Union through MIRARTH Agri Tech Co., Ltd—marking the country’s first official entry into the premium EU market.
🔹 Source: Phnom Penh Post, November 2024
🛤 Policy Framework and Strategic Vision
The “National Cashew Policy 2022–2027”, launched by the Cambodian government, aims to:
- Enhance domestic processing capacity
- Improve market access and export standards
- Support technical training for farmers
- Facilitate investment in agro-processing infrastructure
This policy is seen as crucial to shifting Cambodia’s role from a raw exporter to a value-added producer in the global supply chain.
🔹 Source: Khmer Times, 2023
📊 Export Summary Table (2023–2024)
| Year | Production (tonnes) | Export Volume (tonnes) | Export Value (USD) | % Exported to Vietnam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ~670,000 | ~656,000 | $837 million | ~94–95% |
| 2024 | ~850,000 | ~815,000 | $1.15 billion | ~97% |
💡 Opportunities & Recommendations
While Cambodia’s raw cashew export growth is impressive, capturing more value from this sector will depend on:
- Expanding medium to large-scale processing facilities to reduce dependence on raw exports.
- Investing in quality control and certification programs to access premium markets like the EU, Japan, and South Korea.
- Developing farmer cooperatives and contract farming models to ensure consistent supply for processors.
- Encouraging public-private partnerships to fund infrastructure and logistics improvements.
✅ Conclusion
Cambodia’s cashew sector is on a powerful growth trajectory, with record exports and rising international interest. However, the next step lies in value creation. With strategic investments and policy support, Cambodia can evolve from a raw supplier into a globally recognized exporter of premium processed cashew products, benefiting farmers, processors, and the national economy.