Cashew nuts, with their unique shape and creamy flavor, have become a popular snack all over the world. Cashew nuts differentiate themselves from others by their flavor and their interesting growing process.
Unlike many other nuts that grow underground or within hard shells, cashews have an unusual growth pattern. They grow from the cashew apple, a colorful and unusual fruit.
This apple feeds and protects the cashew nut during its growth. As the apple ripens, it swells and softens, disclosing the cashew nut connected to its bottom. As the apple ripens, it swells and becomes soft, eventually revealing the cashew nut attached to its bottom.
Harvesting cashews is a difficult and delicate procedure due to their specific growing process.
Thailand Cashew
Another distinguishing feature of cashews is their double shell. A second layer protects the cashew kernel within a rigid outer shell. This double-layered covering protects the freshness and integrity of the nuts by shielding them from moisture and external influences.
This organic approach not only supports environmentally friendly farming practices but also assures that the cashews preserve their original flavors and nutritional benefits.
Thailand is a major producer of cashew nuts, accounting for more than 10% of global production. Cashew nuts are produced across Thailand, but the main producing areas are in the provinces of Nakorn Sri Thamarat, Krabi and Ranong, where the climate is hot and humid.
In 2022, Thailand shipped out over 2,000 tons of cashew nuts. This is a slight decrease from 2021 when the country shipped out 3,929 tons of cashew nuts.
During the past 10 years, cashew exports from Thailand have had a steady growth. The highest jump in volume was recorded between 2016 and 2017 at over 100%. The peak volume was in the year 2017 at 5,080 tons.
Here is the export volume of cashew nuts from Thailand between 2013 and 2022.
Cashew Nuts in Thailand
Cashew nuts from Thailand are are exported to other countries through various modes of transportation, including sea, air, and road.
Each mode of transport offers its own advantages and is chosen based on factors such as destination, time sensitivity, cost-effectiveness, and the volume of cashew nuts to be shipped.
Sea export is the most common way to export cashew nuts from Thailand. The country’s strategic location in Southeast Asia provides easy access to major shipping routes. Cashew nuts, carefully packaged and loaded into shipping containers, are transported to ports such as Bangkok, Laem Chabang, or Songkhla for onward shipment.
Cargo vessels carry these containers, ensuring the safe and timely delivery of cashew nuts to markets around the globe. Sea transportation is very advantageous for large-scale exports, allowing for bulk shipments that are cost-effective and suitable for long-distance destinations.
Air transportation is another mode for exporting cashew nuts from Thailand. The country’s well-developed air cargo infrastructure, with major international airports like Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok, facilitates the rapid transportation of cashew nuts to overseas markets.
The major destinations for Thailand cashew nuts include:
- Vietnam
- India
- United States (US)
- Philippines
- Switzerland
The other destinations are:
- Singapore
- Maldives
- China
Strict quality standards are enforced at every stage of the production process, from harvesting to processing and packing.
Thailand’s cashew nut exporters also follow international food safety rules and protocols to meet the expectations and requirements of worldwide consumers.
Cashew Nuts Exporters in Thailand
The government of Thailand regulates the export of cashew nuts primarily through the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), which operates under the Ministry of Commerce.
The DFT is responsible for overseeing and facilitating international trade activities, including the export of various commodities, including cashew nuts. It formulates policies, regulations, and procedures related to export activities to ensure compliance with international trade standards and promote the growth of Thai exports.
The DFT also plays an important role in regulating the export of cashew nuts by establishing procedures to ensure the quality and safety of the exported products.
Its activities aim to improve the reputation of Thai cashew nuts and ensure the sustainability of Thailand’s cashew nut export business.
Here is a top exporter of Thailand 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 Thailand. We give competitive pricing to our customers and guarantee reliable delivery time.