The cashew tree is a low-growing, evergreen tree with a large tap root. The leaves are simple, round, and veined inwards. When ripe, the fleshy cashew apple is tasty and sweet. Apples vary in size, color, and flavor and it is high in vitamin C and sugar.
Cashew is grown in a wide range of soil types, including red and coastal sandy soil. It is also grown on black soils and can also be grown on hill slopes in organic matter-rich virgin soils. However, it does not grow well in waterlogged or saline soils.
Cashew nuts come in different types that are grown in various places of the world. Among the most popular types are: W180, W240, W320, and SW (split wholes).
These classifications are based on the amount of nuts per pound, and each type has different market preferences.
W180 and W240, for example, are larger nuts with fewer pieces per pound that are generally preferred for premium markets and gifts, whereas W320 is a more widely used type for diverse culinary uses.
Malaysia Cashew
In Malaysia, cashew (Anacardium Occidentale) is widely planted along the east coast of West Malaysia on sandy soil where other forms of agriculture have failed to flourish. Cashews are planted on around 3500 hectares.
The common cashew nuts are large and white, with a sweet flavor. There are also dwarf cashew trees that are smaller than regular cashew trees and produce smaller, yellow nuts. Dwarf cashews are well-known for their nutty flavor and crispy texture.
Despite challenges such as the poor fertility of the bris soil, the presence of monsoon on the East Coast, and a scarcity of harvesters during peak fruiting seasons, cashew growing in Malaysia continues to take root and expand.
In 2022, Malaysia shipped out 132 tons of cashew nuts. This is an increase from 2021 when the country shipped out 38 tons of cashew nuts.
During the past 10 years, cashew exports from Malaysia have had a steady growth. The highest jump in volume was recorded between 2017 and 2018 at over 800%. The peak volume was in the year 2018 at 1,205 tons.
Here is the export volume of cashew nuts from Malaysia between 2013 and 2022.
Cashew Nuts in Malaysia
The main mode of transporting cashew nuts from Malaysia to other countries is by sea. Malaysia’s strategic location and access to ports make it convenient for exporting cashew nuts to various countries.
The most common shipping route is from Port Klang to Rotterdam, Netherlands. From Rotterdam, the cashew nuts can be distributed to other countries in Europe and the Americas.
Other modes of transportation that are used to export cashew nuts from Malaysia include air and land. Air transportation is used for smaller shipments of cashew nuts that need to be delivered quickly.
Land transportation is used to transport cashew nuts to neighboring countries, such as Thailand and Singapore.
The major destinations for Malaysia cashew nuts include:
- Singapore
- Maldives
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- India
- France
Other destinations
- Vietnam
- Indonesia
- Brunei
Cashew Nuts Exporters in Malaysia
Malaysia’s government regulates the export of cashew nuts through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI).
MAFI has an important role in regulating and developing the agriculture sector, especially agricultural product exports. They have certain regulations and guidelines in place for the export of cashew nuts through their many departments and agencies.
Under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries is the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS) which is in charge of assuring compliance with phytosanitary and quarantine regulations for agricultural products, including cashew nuts.
MAQIS conducts inspections, issue certificates, and enforce regulations to ensure the quality and safety of exported cashew nuts. Additionally, exporters must also meet the importing country’s import regulations.
Here is a top exporter of Malaysian cashews.
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 cashew nuts exporter of Malaysia. We give competitive pricing to our customers and guarantee reliable delivery time.