A cashew nut is a cashew tree seed; so, botanically, it is not classified as a true nut. Cashews are a rich source of proteins, vitamins and essential minerals in the body. They also have a sweet, rich buttery flavor hence can be incorporated in many dishes.
The History of Indonesia Cashew
Cashew trees were introduced to Indonesia in the 17th century during the Dutch colonial rule. They were initially planted in Java which is an Indonesian island for their economic value. The tropical climate was suitable for cashew cultivation making it a viable place for the growth of cashew nuts. Cashew cultivation eventually spread around the country to other Indonesian islands including Bali, Sumatra, Sulawesi and parts of Kalimantan.
Cashew cultivation in Indonesia has grown rapidly and it is currently one of the leading cashew exporters in the world. Indonesian cashews are whole hence valued at a high price due to their good quality.
Cashew Nuts Exporters in Indonesia
In 2021, Indonesia shipped out over 68,000 tons of cashew nuts. This was a slight decrease from the previous year when the country shipped out 94,321 tons of cashews.
Cashew exports from Indonesia have enjoyed a steady growth over the past 10 years. The highest jump in volume was recorded from 2018 to 2019 which was an increment over 200%. The highest volume was recorded in 2015 at 120,815 tons.
Here is the export volume of cashew nuts from Indonesia between 2012 and 2021.
The major destinations for Indonesian cashew nuts include:
- Vietnam
- India
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Germany
Other destinations
- United States (US)
- Switzerland
- China
Indonesia takes cashew nuts abroad through its main sea port. Cashew nuts leave the country as sea freight by way of Tanjung Priok. This sea port has a modern container terminal.
The other exit point in Indonesia is its main airport. Cashew nuts leave the country as air freight by way of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. This airport has a huge cargo terminal.
Cashew Nuts in Indonesia
Before exportation, cashew nuts must undergo various processes to ensure that they meet the required standards. The following is an outline of the processes that cashew nuts undergo:
- Harvesting and processing
Cashew nuts are harvested by hand during harvesting which is typically between February and May. They are then processed to remove the outer shell and the cashew apple which is a fleshy fruit that surrounds the nut. During processing, cashew nuts are dried, roasted and shelled.
- Quality control
Cashew nuts are inspected for quality to ensure that quality control measures are being implemented throughout the process. They are then sorted and graded according to their size, color and flavor after processing is completed. Defects are also detected during this process. Sorting ensures that only high-quality nuts are exported.
- Packaging
The nuts are packaged in suitable containers which vary depending on the market they market they are being exported to. The packaging can include vacuum-sealed bags or tin cans which are suitable for maintaining freshness of the cashews. They are then labelled to show information about the product, including origin, variety and grade.
- Inspection and certification
Cashew nuts must be inspected by relevant authorities to ensure that they comply with safety and quality standards. They must provide a certificate of inspection.
- Export permits and documentation
Exporters must obtain necessary permits and documentation from government authorities before exporting cashew nuts from the country. The documents include certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate and an invoice.
- Customs clearance and shipping
Cashew nuts are shipped from the country through a customs broker. The broker handles the necessary paperwork to clear the goods through customs and ensure that they meet all import requirements.
It is important to note that Indonesia only processes a small amount of the cashew nuts it produces hence most of the cashew exports are raw cashew nuts.
Indonesia Raw Cashew Nut Suppliers
Here is a top exporter of Indonesia cashew
Freshela Exporters
Freshela is a Kenyan based company that engages in the sourcing, processing and exporting of cashew nuts and other fresh produce.
Freshela is a proud exporter of Indonesia cashews. We give competitive pricing to our customers and guarantee reliable delivery time.