According to the Viet Nam Cashew Association (Vinacas), the EU market currently accounts for 25 percent of Viet Nam ’s total cashew kernel export, while the US makes up 30 percent and China, 27 percent.

In 2006, Viet Nam exported 126,000 tonnes, earning US$503.8 million, year-on-year increases of 16.5 percent and 0.45 percent, respectively. The country hopes to export 135,000 tonnes at US$560 million in 2007. Viet Nam 96,000 tonnes of cashew kernel, valued at US$400 million, in which 30,000 tonnes were shipped to European markets, in the first eight months of this year alone.

At the workshop on "Cooperation between EU and Viet Nam for cashew promotion", Niel Hyde, Chairman of London-based Combined Edible Nut Trade Association (CENTA) and Managing Director of Bond Commodities Ltd., spoke highly of the development of Viet Nam's cashew industry over the past 15 years.

He said that with the cashew output of 350,000 tonnes per year, Viet Nam has now topped India as the world’s largest exporter.