W14 Cashew Update: Vietnam Enhances High-quality and Value-added Cashew Production, Cashew Master Training Program in Africa

Published 2024년 4월 11일

In W14 in the cashew landscape, Vietnam has been investing in high-quality and value-added cashew production in order to improve its competitive advantages. The Long Sơn Group, the sector leader, increased its exports to China by introducing various value added products in 2023 and plans to enhance its direct sales to big retailer chains in 2024. In addition, the EU and OACPS have funded a regional Cashew Master Training Program in Africa. The program aims to benefit over 500 stakeholders, empower women, alleviate poverty, and ensure sustainable growth in the cashew sector. Lastly, the director of Ghana’s Directorate of Crop Services emphasized the need to improve Ghana's cashew processing industry to maximize economic benefits.

Vietnam Maintains its Dominance by Producing High-Quality and Value-Added Cashew Products

Vietnam's cashew industry has made significant investments in technology, machinery, and equipment for high-quality and value-added cashew production. This strategy aims to maintain its global market leadership in the face of growing competition, particularly from African countries. The Long Sơn Group, a prominent player in the sector, has been actively exporting various value-added products to diverse destinations. In 2023, the company amplified its exports to China by introducing innovative products, including salted roasted cashews, chili garlic cashews, spiced cashews, sesame cashews, and honey cashews.

Moreover, the Long Sơn Group has direct sales to major retailers such as Walmart and is planning to increase its efforts in processing value-added and premium-quality products to cater to the requirements of Walmart and other supermarket chains worldwide. In addition, many companies in the cashew industry have invested in machinery and equipment to manufacture cashew nut shell oil, which has various applications such as fuel for boilers and production of abrasion-resistant materials.

EU and OACPS Collaborate to Finance Cashew Master Training Program in Africa

The European Union (EU) and the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) have collaborated to finance the regional Cashew Master Training Program (MTP) implemented by the African Cashew Alliance (ACA), the GIZ/Market-Oriented Value Chains for Jobs & Growth in the ECOWAS Region (MOVE) and partners. This initiative aims to benefit over 500 stakeholders within the cashew industry in Africa, while also expanding the pool of expertise in the sector. Additionally, the program seeks to empower women involved in the industry, alleviate poverty, and ensure the sustainable growth of the cashew sector.

Improving the Cashew Processing Industry is Essential in Ghana

The Director of the Directorate of Crop Services at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Ghana has highlighted the significance of improving the country's cashew processing industry. He stated that enhancing the cashew processing sector is essential for maximizing the economic benefits. The director also emphasized that government support to improve competitiveness would lead to the emergence of more processing companies, creating a win-win situation for both the industry and the country.