Cashew nuts are grown in tropical and subtropical regions all over the world. Cashew trees can adapt to different soil conditions and can thrive in many environments, however, without the right climatic conditions they may not do well.
Cashew growing starts with proper land preparation for them to thrive. This includes clearing land, removing weeds, and ensuring that there is good drainage that can sustain the growth of young cashews.
The cashew trees are then grown by grafting which enables the best features of the plant to be transferred from the top part of a desirable cashew to the rootstock. The soil conditions are important because they determine how the cashews will grow.
Well-drained sandy loam soils with enough nutrition levels are essential for stimulating the development of larger and plumper nuts with higher kernel content.
On the other hand, poor soil conditions such as water logging or that lack nutrients result in smaller and shriveled nuts with poor kernel content.
Sri Lanka Cashew
Sri Lanka is a major producer and exporter of high-quality white cashew nuts known for their creamy texture and flavor. This high production contributes largely to the country’s economy since the demands get exported internationally and are on demand domestically.
Farmers in Sri Lanka use high-yielding cashew types that resist pests and diseases so that they harvest higher output and encounter lower crop losses.
They also maintain soil health and limit environmental effects by using organic fertilization and conservative methods. This way, they consistently produce the same and even better quality of nuts.
In 2022, Sri Lanka shipped out 153 tons of cashew nuts. This is an increase from 2021 when the country shipped out 66 tons of cashew nuts.
During the past 10 years, cashew exports from Sri Lanka have had a steady growth. The highest jump in volume was recorded between 2021 and 2022 at over 100%. The peak volume was in the year 2013 at 251 tons.
Here is the export volume of cashew nuts from Sri Lanka between 2013 and 2022.
Cashew Nuts in Sri Lanka
The main mode of transporting cashew nuts from Sri Lanka to other countries is through sea transportation.
As an island nation, Sri Lanka relies heavily on its ports to facilitate the export of not only cashew nuts but also other agricultural products. Its strategically positioned ports such as the Port of Colombo which is the busiest port in South Asia make export possible.
The ports have linkages to key worldwide markets and are the best for transportation since they have been established and used for a long time. They are serviced regularly by international shipping lines and carriers to ensure their functionality and reliability in all seasons.
The export process involves several stages, including customs clearance, documentation, and quality inspections. The cashew must also meet the food and quality standards before being released into the world.
The major destinations for Sri Lanka cashew nuts include:
- Japan
- Maldives
- Malaysia
- United States (US)
- Australia
Other destinations
- Singapore
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom (UK)
Cashew Nuts Exporters in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s government regulates the export of cashew nuts through The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB).
The EDB is in charge of making and implementing policies that promote and facilitate easy and successful export.
It also provides other services such as giving market information, trade promotions, and export training to exporters and farmers. The EDB has a division that is committed to promoting cashew exports. It also helps exporters identify new markets and develop market plans while adhering to export rules.
This division also conducts market research and informs exporters about trends and what is happening in the cashew business. It inspects cashew nut processing facilities to ensure that they all meet the required standards.
Here is a top exporter of Sri Lankan 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 Sri Lanka. We give competitive pricing to our customers and guarantee reliable delivery time.