Recent prolonged cold weather has not affected the quality of Cambodian cashew nuts, while the harvest from three modern agricultural communities has reached over 55%, according to an April 21 statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Touch Bun Hour, ministry secretary of state, led an evaluation tour of three modern cashew farming communities in Kampong Thom province over a two-day period, on April 19–20.

The communities evaluated included Sala Visay in Prasat Balang district, as well as Sambor Rung Roeung and Tumring in Sandan district. The team also visited several other farms where farmers were actively harvesting cashews, as well as local buyers in the province.

“The cashew harvest in the three communities is about 55% complete and could be finished by the end of May. Despite the extended cold spell, the nuts are still of good quality, with 95 to 100 nuts per kilogramme. Normally, there are about 110 to 120 nuts per kilogramme,” Bun Hour shared.

He added that early-season raw nuts were selling for up to 6,500 riel per kilogramme, while current prices range between 4,800 and 5,200 riel depending on region and nut quality.

A team from the agriculture ministry evaluated the cashew nut harvest at three modern farming communities in Kampong Thom province on April 19-20. Agriculture ministry

Over the last five years (2021–2025), prices this year have been the highest due to strong market demand, even during the Khmer New Year holidays when trade continued without disruption.

However, he acknowledged some challenges due to heavy early-April rainfall, which damaged buds and flowers — particularly the M23 variety—during their final flowering phase.

“In some areas, heavy rain can reduce yields. But in regions with little rain, output may increase. Harvesting this year may wrap up a bit later than usual, but our team will keep monitoring the situation,” he added.

The three cashew farming communities signed a contract on March 30 with Santana Agro Products to supply 300 tonnes of raw cashews. The deal is worth $400,000. Including other contracts signed the same week, the communities had already sold over $1 million worth of cashews as of the end of March — easing concerns about market availability this season.

The remaining cashews will be dried and stored for later sale, according to Khim Finan, undersecretary of state at the ministry. He said the contract allows for price flexibility and guarantees farmers an additional 100 riel per kilogramme above the market price, with Santana Agro Products also covering transport costs from the communities.

A team from the agriculture ministry evaluated the cashew nut harvest at three modern farming communities in Kampong Thom province on April 19-20. Agriculture ministry