This PPG aims to identify the main SPS constraints related to food safety and quality at the production, harvesting, post-harvest handling, packaging, storage, and processing levels, that are hampering the access of cashew nuts from Cambodia and Viet Nam to both regional and global markets, and to develop a project proposal for consideration by the STDF or other donors.
The project to be developed will aim at enhancing the access of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to trade, improve the capacity of producers and traders to produce quality and safe cashew nuts that ultimately meet international food safety and hygiene standards.
Cambodia is the main supplier of raw cashew nuts to Viet Nam and Viet Nam is one of the top processors and exporters of this product to the world.
In Viet Nam, the cashew nut industry is an important source of income for over 200,000 farmer-households. Common SPS problems of Vietnamese cashew nut exports are pesticide residues, aflatoxins, and packaging.
Cambodia is known as one of the largest cashew nut producers in the world. However, 95% of cashew nuts are exported without processing. Exports of cashew nuts from Cambodia also face several SPS issues that need to be addressed to ensure compliance with import requirements. These include pesticide residue limits, aflatoxin contamination, food safety and hygiene practices, phytosanitary certification, traceability, quality control and inspection procedures, among others.
Addressing key SPS problems in the cashew nut sector is essential for enhancing market access, promoting sustainable economic growth, and reducing poverty in Cambodia and Viet Nam.