Cambodia’s Cashew Exports Surge 25% Amid Climate Risks, SEZ Plan Advances

PHNOM PENH, June 26, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia’s raw cashew nut exports rose by more than 25 percent in the first five months of 2026, underscoring the resilience of the sector despite climate pressures, official data showed Thursday.

The Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia said the kingdom shipped nearly 980,000 tonnes of raw cashews to Vietnam between January and May, earning about US$1.69 billion — up 25 percent from a year earlier.

Association president Uon Silot said the performance exceeded expectations after experts warned that prolonged cool weather, unseasonal rainfall and extreme heat topping 40 degrees Celsius could dent yields. “Despite these challenging conditions, Cambodia’s cashew sector has delivered a strong export performance, reflecting the resilience of both farmers and the industry,” he said.

Vietnam remains the kingdom’s main market, but officials are pushing to expand value‑added processing. On June 25, the Cambodian Investment Board reviewed a proposal to establish a specialized cashew industrial park in Kampong Thom province.

The project, envisioned as a model Special Economic Zone, aims to attract investment in processing, create jobs for returning migrant workers and generate greater value for farmers. Kampong Thom is Cambodia’s largest cashew‑producing province, with more than 150,000 hectares under cultivation, accounting for about 30 percent of the national harvest.

In 2025, Cambodia exported around one million tonnes of raw cashews worth US$1.5 billion, a 27 percent increase from 2024. Officials say the new SEZ could help sustain growth by shifting the industry from raw exports toward higher‑value processing, strengthening rural livelihoods and positioning Cambodia more firmly in global supply chains.