Cambodia reports US$790 million in cashew exports as global supplies tighten

Cambodia’s cashew sector faced favourable market conditions on December 8, with industry figures expecting tighter global supplies to push prices higher and market quotations potentially exceeding US$1,700 per tonne. Weather-related production declines in several countries, together with strengthening international demand, were driving an upward market trend and providing a positive stimulus for Cambodian exports. According to the latest data cited from Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce, the country’s cashew exports reached US$790 million in the first eight months of the year, a year-on-year increase of more than 60%. Analysts said demand in China and Europe remained steady, while low raw-cashew stocks in major processors such as Vietnam forced them to buy more from Africa, pushing international prices higher. Some major African growing areas had not yet entered harvest season, further fuelling expectations of tight global supplies. Despite the bullish outlook, climate change continued to create uncertainty for future production. To improve resilience, the Cambodian cashew association was promoting agricultural techniques, including its own low-cost foliar-fertiliser approach, which the report said had helped increase local cashew output by more than 10% over years of practical use. Industry organisations said they would continue helping farmers improve cultivation techniques to maintain production and raise incomes under complex climate conditions. KPS99TV compiled report.