CASHEW NUTS – THE TREASURE GIFT OF NATURE
The cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale L.) is native to northeastern Brazil, imported to Asia and Africa in about 1560-1565 after the European colonial empires discovered it. out to America.
At present, this plant has become an industrial plant and is grown throughout tropical climates in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australia for its kernels to be processed as food.
In Vietnam Cashew trees grow wild or are planted all over the country and industrial cashew trees are grown a lot in the southern highland provinces such as Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Binh Phuoc…
The value of cashews
According to statistics from the General Department of Customs, Vietnam’s cashew exports in 2020 reached 514.6 thousand tons, with a turnover of 3.21 billion USD, up 13% in volume but down 2.3% in turnover compared to the previous year. 2019. The average export price of cashew nuts in 2020 reached 6,238.5 USD/ton, down 13.6% compared to 2019.
Nutritional composition in 100 grams of cashew kernels
| Ingredient | Quantity | Ingredient | Quantity | |
| Energy | 2,314 kJ (553 kcal) | Niacin (vit. B3) | 1.06 mg (7%) | |
| Water | 5.2 g | Pantothenic acid (B5) | 0.86 mg (17%) | |
| Carbohydrates | 30.19 g | Vitamin B6 | 0.42 mg (32%) | |
| Starch | 23.49 g | Folate (vit. B9) | 25 μg (6%) | |
| Sugars | 5.91 g | Vitamin C | 0.5 mg (1%) | |
| Dietary fiber | 3.3 g | Vitamin E | 0.9 mg (6%) | |
| Fat | 43.85 g | Calcium | 37 mg (4%) | |
| saturated | 7.78 g | Iron | 6.68 mg (51%) | |
| monounsaturated | 23.8 g | Magnesium | 292 mg (82%) | |
| polyunsaturated | 7.85 g | Manganese | 1.66 mg (79%) | |
| Protein | 18.22 g | Phosphorus | 593 mg (85%) | |
| Thiamine (vit. B1) | 0.42 mg (37%) | Potassium | 660 mg (14%) | |
| Riboflavin (vit. B2) | 0.06 mg (5%) | Sodium | 12 mg (1%) | |
| Zinc | 5.78 mg (61%) | |||
| Source: USDA Nutrient Database |
| Kind of foods | Energy/1 kg of food |
| Cashew nuts | 6000 calo |
| Grain | 3600 calo |
| Meat | 1800 calo |
| Fruit | 650 calo |
Currently, Vietnam is the number 1 cashew exporter in the world and has maintained this position for many years. Export turnover is over 3 billion USD and is on the increase due to the increasing demand for safe food.
To maintain the number one position in the world, Vietnam needs to do a lot of things. In which, Vietnam Cashew Association (VINACAS) needs to maintain productivity, in addition to continuously diversifying products and need to update new technologies to minimize loss in the processing process as well as improve the quality of cashew nuts. product quality.