Cashew nuts unknown to many, are not just a nut but a seed of the cashew apple, The cashew apple is talked about so much because all attention goes to the nut. The cashew apple looks like a pear and is the main fruit of the cashew tree. It is green when unripe but turns red or yellow when it has ripened and is ready for harvesting.
The cashew apple just like the nut, has nutrients that are essential for good health, the apple has a rich content of Vitamin C and can be used to make juices.
The cashew nut is a hanging seed outside the cashew apple, attached to the bottom of the apple. The nut has an outer hard shell that protects it from damage and harsh environmental conditions until it is harvested and processed.
Because cashew trees need sandy soils that don’t hold much water, it is difficult for countries that do not have these soil conditions to grow and produce cashew nuts on a large scale. Countries like Malaysia therefore resort to importing cashews from other producing countries.
Cashew Nuts Malaysia
Cashew nuts are on top of the list of the loved and consumed nuts in Malaysia despite being a little more expensive compared to the other nuts.
They are loved for their nutty and salty flavor that makes them delicious. Cashews are consumed as snacks but they are also popularly used in garnishing Thai and other cuisines.
Even though Malaysia grows cashew nuts on its west coast because of its sandy soil, the poor fertility of the soil does not support large-scale growing of cashews, making it essential for Malaysia to import cashew nuts from exporting and producing countries like Vietnam.
Cashews Malaysia
The cashew market in Malaysia is a thriving hub of traders and suppliers offering different types of cashews and cashew products at competitive prices and markets for cashews.
In 2022, Malaysia shipped over 3,000 tonnes of cashew nuts. Although this was a decrease from the previous year, it was another high-record value. This data includes both raw cashew nuts (in-shell) and shelled cashews.
Over the last decade, cashew imports in Malaysia have enjoyed steady growth. The highest jump in volume was recorded from 2020 to 2021 at over 45%. The peak volume was in the year 2021 at 3,635 tonnes.
Here is the import volume of cashew nuts in Malaysia between 2013 and 2022.
Importing Cashew Nuts into Malaysia
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to import cashews into Malaysia.
Cashew Supplying Countries to Malaysia
The dominating country in Malaysia’s cashew import is Vietnam followed closely by India. Malaysian buyers and traders look for premium quality nuts for their consumers and get this supply covered by Vietnam and India.
Other key cashew-supplying countries in Malaysia are:
- India
- Myanmar
- Indonesia
- Thailand
- China
It imports cashews in smaller volumes from countries like:
- France
- Canada
- South Africa
The main mode of transport used to transport cashew nuts into Malaysia is sea transport because it ensures reliable delivery of cashew nuts to Malaysia in large volumes ensuring Malaysia meets the market demand.
How to Know Reliable Cashew Suppliers in Malaysia
Cashew importers in Malaysia must follow these procedures for their shipment to be released by the customs office:
- As an importer, you must register with the Companies Commission of Malaysia and get an import license
- You must obtain a Customs Import Permit which will require you to submit the following documents to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department :
- An import license
- A commercial invoice
- A bill of lading
- A packing list
- A certificate of origin
- A phytosanitary certificate
- Import declaration form
Here is a top cashew exporter in Kenya
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 raw cashew nuts and shelled cashews. We give competitive pricing to our customers and guarantee reliable delivery time.