★ Vietnam’s cashew processors are currently under severe financial pressure. The international prices of raw cashew nuts (RCN) are rising rapidly, while export prices of processed cashew kernels are not keeping pace. As a result, many Vietnamese processing companies are running at a loss, and some have even been forced into insolvency.

★ Vietnam still accounts for about 80% of global cashew exports, but its own production is quite low—only around 300,000 tonnes. The country needs approximately 3.5 million tonnes of raw cashews every year, which it mainly imports from African countries. However, several African nations have recently imposed export restrictions or bans on RCN to encourage domestic processing and increase local value addition. This has led to a shortage of raw materials for Vietnamese processors.

★ According to European Union (EU) cashew import data, India’s cashew exports to the EU have fallen by 14.3%. Between January and October 2025, India shipped about 6,898 metric tonnes of cashews to the EU, compared with 8,050 metric tonnes in the same period last year.

★ In contrast, Côte d'Ivoire increased its exports by 32%, making it the second-largest supplier to the EU market.