Thailand is highly dependent on cashew imports to meet domestic demand. The second largest country in southeast Asia, by population, experiences a tropical climate that is good for production of cashew nuts. However, it still does not produce enough for the locals.
A huge volume of cashews sold in Thailand is found in supermarkets. The biggest number of consumers in the country is found in the cities of Bangkok, Samut Prakan and Mueang Nonthaburi. Smaller retail outlets, wholesale markets and specialty food stores around Thailand trade in smaller quantities of cashews.
Thailand Cashew Nuts Price
Imports of cashews in Thailand were worth about 66 million US Dollars in 2022. Compared to the previous year, it is a slight increase of 1%. The sharpest climb was from 2016 to 2017 when the import value rose from about 62 million US Dollars to around 91 million US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of cashews in Thailand between 2013 and 2022.
Cashew Nut Price per kg in Thailand
The cost of a kilo of cashews in Thailand can be between 200 Thai Baht (U5.60 dollars) and 300 Thai Baht (US8.40 dollars). This is based on the average import price per kg. This wholesale price has gone as high as 360 Thai Baht (US10.07 dollars) in the recent past.
Retail prices of shelled cashews are not similar from one trader to another. The Thai people can buy imported cashews for most part of the year because they are sourced from several nations. Market timing also determines the price range as late season cashews get a premium over early season cashews.
Whole cashew kernels are more valuable than broken pieces. While those that are white or pale ivory in color are preferred to than coloured or burnt ones.
Cashew Thailand
Thailand brings in more shelled cashews than in-shell cashews. A hefty quantity of these cashews are processed either in Vietnam or India. These two countries are known for their very large cashew processing industries. Not only do they process their own cashew nuts but also those grown in several countries in Africa.
Cashew imports have to first go through the Customs Department (Thai Customs). They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the Thailand Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA). The government of Thailand sets the requirements for importers of food products like cashews through the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
Cans or polythene bags of cashews must be labeled according to guidelines determined by Thai FDA. Bilingual language, which includes Thai, is required on the label. Stick-on labels with country of origin are widely used on imported cashews.
Labels must include the following information:
- Name of product and its product category
- Name and address of producer and importer
- Brand or trademark
- Country of origin
- Type of cashew and grade
- Storage instructions and temperature requirements
- Net weight in grams or kilograms and number of cashews per can or polythene bag
- Nutritional information
- Shelf life
- Date of packing
Cashew Nuts Thailand
Many Thai people like eating cashew kernels. Getting to the edible part of a cashew nut is quite a process. Besides a hard outer shell and another thin skin, a kernel is covered by cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). CNSL is a dark brown liquid that causes skin irritation.
The five steps involved in extracting a cashew kernel are:
- Shelling: removal of the outer shell and CNSL
- Peeling: removal of the testa
- Grading: into different sizes and colours according to standard grading
- Drying or humidifying: to a final moisture content of 5%
- Packing: into airtight bags depending on the scale of the operation