Promoting sustainable development of Dong Nai’s cashew industry

On May 23, within the framework of the Dong Nai City Golden Cashew Festival 2026, a scientific seminar on sustainable development of Dong Nai City’s cashew industry for the 2026-2030 period was held, attracting the participation of numerous cooperatives, enterprises, and businesses engaged in cashew production, trading, and processing across the city.

According to Customs Department data, Vietnam’s cashew industry generated more than US$5.4 billion in export turnover in 2025, with products shipped to over 112 countries and territories. This endeavor enabled Vietnam to retain its position as the world’s leading processor and exporter of cashew kernels for the 19th straight year, accounting for more than 80% of global cashew kernel exports.

During the first four months of 2026, despite continued volatility in international markets, Vietnam’s cashew kernel exports reached 217,000 tons, with export turnover of nearly US$1.5 billion, up nearly 9% in volume and approximately 10% in value compared to the same period in 2025. The industry is projected to achieve export turnover of US$5 billion in 2026.

Le Thi Anh Tuyet, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Agriculture and Environment (DoAE), moderates discussions at the seminar on the sustainable development of Dong Nai City’s cashew industry for the 2026-2030 period. Photo: B.Nguyen

Dong Nai City currently has more than 176,000 hectares of cashew plantations, producing around 300,000 tons of raw cashews each year. To date, the city is home to 2,793 enterprises and facilities engaged in purchasing, preliminary treatment, and cashew processing activities. Several companies have invested in modern technologies and expanded deep-processed product lines. With total export turnover reaching approximately US$8.05 billion and import turnover standing at around US$5.9 billion, Dong Nai continues to maintain its position as one of the country’s major export centers. Within its export structure, processed agricultural products continue to play a significant role, particularly cashew products.

Representatives of local cooperatives contribute opinions at the seminar. Photo: B.Nguyen

However, sales activities still face many difficulties, including volatile market prices, a low rate of deep processing, the lack of strong brands with international reach, and promotion and trade facilitation activities that remain disproportionate to the sector’s potential.

At the seminar, experts, enterprises, and cooperatives proposed various solutions to increase added value and support the sustainable development of the cashew sector, focusing on seed varieties, cultivation practices, investment in deep processing, and the creation of a broader cultural identity surrounding cashew products, rather than concentrating solely on production and processing technologies.

Chairing the seminar, Deputy Director of the DoAE, Le Thi Anh Tuyet, stressed that discussions at the event reaffirmed the substantial room for growth and potential in Dong Nai’s cashew industry.

However, she noted that for the cashew industry to develop sustainably amid intensifying competition and increasingly deep integration, close linkages are needed among the State, enterprises, cooperatives, and farmers. It is also necessary to strengthen the application of science and technology, accelerate digital transformation, improve product quality, and build the Dong Nai cashew brand in a modern, green, and sustainable direction.

She added that the organizing committee would fully acknowledge all feedback, recommendations, and proposals raised at the seminar for compilation, further study, and policy consultation on suitable solutions, with the aim of continuing to support the development of Dong Nai’s cashew sector in the coming time.

By B. Nguyen – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho