Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has set a target of US$4.5 billion in cashew exports by 2025. This goal is well within reach as cashew export growth rates hit double digits and demand surges during year-end holidays and the Lunar New Year period.
 
According to the Ministry's statistics, cashew exports in August 2025 reached approximately 70,000 tons, with an export value of around US$431 million. Cumulative cashew exports for the first eight months of 2025 totaled 482,700 tons, valued at $3.24 billion—a 16.4% year-on-year increase despite a slight 1.2% decline in volume. The average export price reached $6,711 per ton, hitting a multi-year high that reflects robust global demand for this nutritious nut.
 
  China, the United States, and the Netherlands remain Vietnam's top three cashew export markets, accounting for 21.7%, 20%, and 9.4% of total exports respectively. Exports to China surged by 47%, while shipments to the Netherlands grew by 20.1%. Conversely, exports to the United States declined by 11.7%. Among the top 15 export markets, Latvia recorded the highest growth rate at 57%.
 
  Despite slowing demand for raw cashew kernels in the U.S. market, rising demand for processed cashew products presents opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to increase processing ratios and enhance product value.
 
  To meet domestic production needs and ensure raw material supply, Vietnam has imported cashew nuts worth $3.3 billion, primarily from Cambodia, Côte d'Ivoire, Tanzania, and Ghana. Cambodia leads with $1.5 billion in exports. Due to its geographical proximity and lower logistics costs, cashew nuts from Cambodia help Vietnamese enterprises reduce processing expenses and maintain stable production operations.
 
  However, Vietnam's cashew industry still faces significant challenges. Increasingly stringent requirements from the US and EU regarding traceability, pesticide residues, and sustainable production—particularly the “zero deforestation” cultivation mandate—represent major barriers. Concurrently, price and tariff competition from African nations cannot be overlooked.
 
  Nevertheless, Vietnam retains advantages in deep processing capabilities, stable supply chains, and international branding. The global cashew market is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 4.6% from 2022 to 2027, with the trend toward healthy snack consumption providing favorable conditions for the industry.
 
Building on this foundation, Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will continue implementing coordinated measures to support the sustainable development of the cashew sector. Efforts will focus on boosting exports, advancing the development of clean raw material zones, enhancing data traceability, and building a national brand, while actively expanding into potential markets such as the Middle East and the EU.
 
  Leveraging price competitiveness, market shifts, and favorable consumption trends, the goal of achieving $4.5 billion in exports by 2025 is entirely feasible through effective coordination among the state, enterprises, and the cashew value chain.