Cashews are a tasty and versatile nut, found in recipes from around the world. But where do cashews actually come from? From India to Vietnam, many different countries and regions play a part in producing these yummy delights. Find out all about where cashews grow and how they become the delicious nuts we know today.

Central and South American Cashews.
Central and South America are major suppliers of cashew nuts. Both regions are used by many leading brands, including gourmet and organic options. Brazil is the largest producer in this region and grows more raw cashews than any other country. Other notable producers include Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Costa Rica and Peru.

African Cashews.
Africa is also a major cashew-growing region and the largest producer of cashew apple juice. The three main African cashew-growing countries are Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Tanzania. There are also smaller producers in Benin, Ghana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Due to the political stability of most African countries in producing cashews, the quality is fairly consistent year after year which makes them a reliable source for many brands.

Indian and Southeast Asian Cashews.
India is the second-largest producer of cashews in the world, and also a major exporter of processed cashew nuts. Producing mostly larger varieties of nuts, India exports to countries like Vietnam and Thailand. In Southeast Asia as a whole, Vietnam is the largest producer of cashews but there are smaller contributors from other countries too; Malaysia, Indonesia and Laos all produce some amount of cashews for domestic consumption and for international markets.

Challenges in Producing Quality Cashews.
Producing quality cashews is quite a challenge, especially in hotter climates, as the trees need plenty of direct sunlight and must have well drained soil. Growers must also apply a regular insecticide spray to keep pests away from the crop and use water sheltered from harmful runoff. Moreover, harvesting cashews can present a further challenge due to their tough shells! Wise harvesting methods are employed to ensure the nut enclosures don’t crack or damage the delicate cashew nuts inside.

The Benefits of Sustainable Farming Practices for the Environment and Consumers Alike.
Sustainable farming practices are beneficial in cashew production on a number of fronts. Not only can they preserve the environment, but they can also ensure a larger yield of quality nuts. Through careful crop rotation and soil conservation, cashew growers can increase their overall output while reducing their reliance on pesticides and other synthetic fertilizers. Growing region’s that use good sustainable practices are highly sought after by buyers, who value the excellent flavor and freshness provided by well-farmed cashews!