Did you know that cashew nuts belong to the same family as Pistachios? They originated from the coastal areas of Brazil and quickly spread to other regions that have tropical climates.
Cashews are very nutritious, and filled with a good amount of essential minerals such as copper. Magnesium, zinc, and copper. They are also rich in proteins and vitamins such as vitamin C, niacin, vitamin E, and K.
Eating cashews helps to provide the body with antioxidant defenses which help in the formation of red blood cells and build a better immune system.
Cashew also helps to improve bone health, relieve diabetes, build strong nerves, and a healthy heart.
Greece’s love for cashews is rooted in its culture and hence has been consuming cashews since time immemorial. Since the climate and soil conditions in Greece do not favor large-scale production of cashews, the country imports them from other producing countries.
Cashew Price in Greece
In 2022, cashew imports into Greece were worth approximately 21 million US Dollars. Although this was a decrease from the previous year, it was another high-value record.
The sharpest climb was from 2020 to 2021 when the import value rose from about 18 million US Dollars to over 45 million US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of cashews in Greece between 2013 and 2022.
Cashew Nut Price per kg in Greece
The price of one kilogram of raw cashew nuts in Greece costs between EUR 7.15 to EUR 13.42 per kilogram ( US$ 7.74 -US$ 14.52 per kilogram)
On the wholesale market, cashews in Greece costs between, US$ 5.42 to US$ 10.17 per kilogram.
As the demand for cashew nuts continues to rise, Cashew prices are also experiencing a sharp rise, which means more earnings to the nation and businesses.
Compared to other nuts, cashews in Greece have a growing consumption trend that has led to an increase in import volumes. While the market trends may affect cashew prices from time to time, the demand for these precious nuts projects growth in the cashew industry.
With supplying countries working to ensure that there is plenty of supply of nuts in the market, cashew nuts are one commodity that continues to thrive in the global market.
Cashews Greece
Greece imports cashew nuts in different types although cashew kernels account for the major percentage of their imports. The quality of cashew kernels is determined by their consistency which ranges from whit to yellow kernels.
The most imported grade of cashew kernels is the W-180 which is mostly used in food and making savory dishes because they are a source of energy and have a rich nutty flavor. The W-450 is popular for its low cost because it has tiny and affordable kernels.
There are also cashew nuts that are refereed to as burned and scorched cashews. Burned cashews are light brown cashews that have been burned. These can be bought as a whole or in pieces.
Scorched kernels have a light brown color from roasting for a longer time. They are best used in making thick dishes, and very yummy snacks. Their pieces are less expensive compared to other kernels.
Cashew Nuts Greece
Whether you consume raw or salted cashew nuts, the health benefits are all the same. The only difference between raw and roasted cashew is that roasted cashew are put through drying by frying or roasting them in an oven.
Frying or roasting cashews is important because it increases the caloric and fat content of the cashews, adding a crunchy taste and ensuring they can be well preserved.
Raw nuts are not heated or tampered with hence they preserve most of their natural content and contain fewer calories and fat content. However, they have less flavor and contain compounds that make their digestion slow and hence can cause stomach upsets.