According to preliminary statistics from the Customs Department, Vietnam’s cashew imports in November reached more than 173 thousand tons, valued at over 263 million USD, up slightly by 0.3% in volume and 2.2% in value compared to October.
Cumulatively over the first 11 months of the year, our country imported more than 2.7 million tons of cashews worth over 4.2 billion USD, an increase of 16.3% in quantity and a sharp rise of 39.6% in value compared to the same period last year.
In terms of market share, Cambodia is the largest supplier of cashews to Vietnam, with more than 968 thousand tons valued at over 1.4 billion USD, up 18% in volume and a strong 38% in value compared to the same period last year. The average import price rose 17%, equivalent to 1,525 USD/ton.
Beyond Cambodia, imports of this product from African countries are also rising sharply. Côte d’Ivoire is the second-largest supplier, with more than 679 thousand tons worth over 1.02 billion USD, up 17% in volume and 41% in value. The average price was 1,515 USD/ton, up 20%.
Ranked third is Nigeria, with more than 276 thousand tons worth over 402 million USD, up 13% in volume and 39% in value compared to the same period last year. The import price was 11,456 USD/ton, an increase of 24%. In addition, Ghana and Tanzania have also been major suppliers of cashews to Vietnam since the beginning of the year.
Since mid-2024, raw cashew and cashew kernel prices have rebounded in line with the global commodity cycle. Major markets such as the U.S., China, and India have resumed imports, pushing Vietnam’s FOB cashew kernel prices to their highest level in two years. However, this increase has not been sufficient to offset raw material costs, leaving many enterprises with low net profits.
On the export side, according to Customs data, by the end of November 2025, Vietnam’s cashew export turnover reached 4.95 billion USD, up 16.2% year-on-year. With this growth momentum, the cashew industry is certain to surpass the 5 billion USD mark by the end of 2025. This is a record figure, the first ever in the industry’s history, far exceeding the 4 billion USD achieved in 2024.
In reality, domestic raw material supply currently meets only about 10% of processing demand, while the remaining 90% depends on imports from Cambodia and African countries. Imported cashew kernels into Vietnam have surged dramatically. From just tens of thousands of tons in 2020, the figure jumped to 150,000 tons (equivalent to 700,000 tons of raw cashews) in the first 11 months of 2025. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s domestic raw cashew output is only around 400,000 tons. Thus, African countries have effectively processed far more than Vietnam’s self-sufficiency capacity.
VINACAS warns that if this trend continues, once competitors complete their production chains, Vietnam’s role will be overshadowed, directly affecting economic growth.
In response, VINACAS recommends that the Government and relevant ministries reconsider tax policies. Specifically, imported cashew kernels should no longer be completely tax-exempt. Imposing taxes would help curb excessive imports and protect domestic production incentives.
By Nhu Quynh (according to An Ninh Tien Te)
Source: CafeF
