Cambodian cashew production is expected to decrease by about 23 percent due to unusual weather and rainfall at the beginning of the year, said Ong Sillok, president of the Cambodian Cashew Association, recently.
 
  President Ong Sillok explained that cashew nuts usually enter the flowering and germination period from January to February. However, the sudden rains in March this year caused serious damage to the cashew buds. Cashew is a temperature-loving crop and should not be grown in rainy conditions, especially during the flowering season. Rainfall can cause damage to flower buds and reduce the quality of ripe fruit. Earlier this year, Cambodia's cashew farming industry was challenged by a combination of persistent cold weather and rainfall, which led to a significant drop in production.
 
  Despite the plight of declining production, cashew prices have remained stable due to strong market demand. Currently, fresh cashew nuts are sold at about 5,600 riel per kilogram.
 
  According to the Cambodian Cashew Association, the country's total cashew production reached 850,000 tons in 2024, up 26 percent year-on-year, making Cambodia the world's second-largest producer of cashews.In 2024, Cambodia exported 815,000 tons of raw cashews, up 21 percent year-on-year, with the value of exports reaching 1.15 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 26 percent. Of these, more than 790,000 tons of cashew nuts were exported to Vietnam, which remains the main market for raw cashew nuts in Cambodia.