PHNOM PENH: "The National Policy on Cashew Nuts for 2022-2027" was officially enacted by the Ministry of Commerce on June 14 under the leadership of Minister of Commerce Pan Sosak.

Pan Sosak said that the policy aims to develop production, industrialization and the trade market to be competitive by ensuring sustainability and economic diversification. The goal is to turn Cambodia into a main supplier of cashew products to local, regional and global markets at the recommendation of Prime Minister Hun Sen. The five-year-plan will also create job opportunities and reduce poverty and migration, which promotes national economic growth.

The plan is to create a three-part strategy that focuses on production, processing and exports. The production aspect will focus on increasing the yield and quality of cashew crops. The plan intends to increase industrialization of the sector and diversify the processing of cashew by-products to handle the increased production. Exports are to be boosted through diversification, trade facilitation and cost reduction, among other measures.

The provinces with the largest area of cashew cultivation are Kampong Thom, Ratanakkiri, Kratie, Kampong Cham, Preah Vihear, Stung Treng, Oddar Meanchey, Tbong Khmum, Mondulkiri and Siem Reap. In 2022, Cambodia exported 600,000 tons of raw cashew nuts to the international market worth $1.77 million USD, with Vietnam buying 92% of the exported cashews.