Addressing the Golden Cashew Festival – Binh Phuoc 2010, Nguyen Thai Hoc, chairman of the Vietnam Cashew Association (Vinacas), said Vietnam’s cashew nut exports in 2010 will reach US$1bil. If reaching the target, this will be the first time, cashew industry enters the US$1bil club.

Expectation…

In 2009, Vietnam exported 177,000 tons of cashew, winning $850mil. In the period of 2006-2009, the country ranked first on cashew nut exports in the world, second on cashew output in the world. The whole country is home to 450,000ha of cashew plantation, focusing mainly in the Southeastern, Central Highlands and central region, offering jobs for half of million laborers.

However, Hoc added, the cashew tree’s awareness on economic, socio-political significance for economic development on agriculture, rural areas and farmers remains limited. Besides, cashew production, supports for cashew growers lack reality. The entire country has about 800,000 cashew growers, hundreds of cashew processing factories but growers always worry about prices. Moreover, about 97% of cashew products for exports depend quite on the world price.

Some businesses said that it is necessary to have synchronous measures from the central to localities, from businesses to scientists and even growers. Others asked to expand cashew growing areas and create linkage between makers and farmers and markets.

And chance…

The Golden Cashew Festival held for the first time on March 20-23 is a chance to honor and encourage cashew growers nationwide as well as affirm Vietnam cashew trademark in the world.

Bui Van Thach, head of the organizing board of the festival said the festival is a good chance to spread Vietnam’s cashew industry in general and Binh Phuoc province’s in particular as well as seek measures to promote local cashew development to a new height.

The Party and State’s leaders, reps of Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand and so on will attend the festival. The organizing board will grant breeding cashew trees for Cambodia and Laos. 

Reported by K.Tan – Translated by A.C