Vietnam is seeking solutions to raise cashew output so as to reduce reliance on cashew imports, heard a conference held in HCMC on October 28 by the Department of Crop Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Vietnam is seeking solutions to raise cashew output so as to reduce reliance on cashew imports, heard a conference held in HCMC on October 28 by the Department of Crop Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
According to the department, the country’s cashew output in the year to date has dropped by 15-20% due to pests and diseases, while the demand for cashew nuts has been still on the rise. Therefore, many local cashew exporters have had to boost import of raw cashew.
Vietnam’s cashew-growing area had dropped from 400,000 hectares in 2007 to 293,000 hectares in 2016 as many farmers replaced cashew with other crops of higher value, while cashew exports kept increasing steadily.
Data of the agriculture ministry shows that the country has exported 289,000 tons of processed cashew nuts worth US$2.87 billion this year to date, down 0.4% in volume but up 23% in value compared to the same period last year.
To secure export orders, Vietnam has imported 1.16 million tons of raw cashew in January-October, up 29% year-on-year.
Vietnam is the largest cashew nut exporter in the world, but its reliance on imported raw cashew will affect the sustainable development of the industry. Therefore, the country is seeking solutions to raise cashew productivity.
A representative of a company said at the conference that cashew farmers should shift to organic farming, and it is working with experts from New Zealand to support farmers to this effect.
The Department of Crop Production suggested farmers use high-quality seedlings provided by the Vietnam Cashew Association and intercrop cocoa and cashew which would help them increase income by 1.5-2 times.
Those localities that have intercropped cocoa and cashew have achieved positive results, including Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc provinces.
(Source:SGT)
