Allocate a "green channel" for cashew import and export activities.

Dong Nai province is the cashew capital of Vietnam, with an area of ​​176,000 hectares, and the province's cashews have been granted geographical indication status. Meanwhile, Vietnamese cashews are currently the world's number one brand, with export revenue of around 5 billion USD per year.

Cashew production for export at Hoang Phu Production Co., Ltd., Loc Tan commune, Dong Nai province. Photo: Binh Nguyen

To maintain its leading position in cashew import and export, Dong Nai focuses on many solutions to support businesses, with resolving customs procedures being one of the important issues that the customs sector pays attention to, promptly addressing obstacles and ensuring smooth cashew import and export activities.

Vietnam's cashew capital

According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , by the end of October 2025, Vietnam had imported 2.6 million tons of raw cashew nuts, worth over US$4 billion, an increase of 13.8% in volume and over 38% in value compared to the same period in 2024. The main sources of imported cashews are Cambodia (the largest supplier, accounting for nearly 39%), Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Ghana. Cashew kernel exports in the first 10 months of 2025 reached approximately US$4.25 billion, an increase of nearly 19% compared to the same period in 2024. It is expected that this year, the cashew industry will achieve an export value of US$5 billion for the first time.

Dong Nai's cashew exports continue to hold the top position nationwide, accounting for 50% of Vietnam's total cashew export value. Dong Nai's cashew products are now present in over 80 countries and territories. In the first 11 months of 2025, Dong Nai's cashew export value reached over US$2.5 billion, accounting for nearly 7.9% of the province's total export value.

In Dong Nai, cashew exports maintain their number one position nationwide, accounting for 50% of Vietnam's total cashew export value. Mr. Nguyen Hoang Dat, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Cashew Association, shared: After the merger, Dong Nai province has more space to develop the cashew industry. This is an opportunity for Dong Nai to increase the planted area, increase the proportion of cashew exports, and improve the quality of local cashews. Currently, Dong Nai is still maintaining its leading position nationwide in cashew exports. In addition, the attention and support from relevant government agencies, departments, cashew import and export businesses, and cashew farmers in Dong Nai will lead to strategies for building and enhancing the brand of Dong Nai cashews in particular and Vietnamese cashews in general.

In particular, Mr. Dat emphasized: One of the key factors contributing to the development of the cashew industry and bringing economic value to the locality is the maximum support from customs agencies in resolving difficulties for cashew businesses in importing raw cashews from some African countries into Vietnam. In the past, due to issues related to packaging, labeling, and plant quarantine, raw cashews imported from some African countries faced difficulties, prolonging customs clearance times. Recognizing these difficulties, the Dong Nai Customs Department promptly addressed them, creating a favorable environment for cashew import businesses in handling customs procedures.

Facilitating cashew import and export businesses.

According to statistics from the Customs Sub-Department of Region XVIII (HQKV 18), the unit is currently processing customs procedures for over 40 businesses involved in cashew import and export in Dong Nai province. Recently, the import and export of cashews through border gates in Dong Nai province has been stable, smooth, and carried out according to established procedures. Businesses importing raw cashews in the province mainly use them as raw materials for processing and export production. Therefore, customs procedures for cashews are often handled through the green channel, creating the best conditions for Dong Nai's cashew businesses.

A representative from Customs Region 18 stated: Most businesses conducting customs procedures at Customs Region 18 import raw cashew nuts, a plant-based import primarily originating from Cambodia and African countries… requiring mandatory plant quarantine. Customs Region 18 has actively implemented operational measures to support businesses; however, customs clearance requires the results of plant quarantine inspections from the relevant authorities in accordance with legal regulations.

Regarding customs procedures, in the past, according to feedback from importing businesses, due to the reuse of recycled packaging, some difficulties have arisen concerning product labeling. However, these issues have been promptly reported by the Customs Department of Region 18, and guidance has been received to facilitate the import and export activities of businesses.

Mr. Le Thanh Van, Deputy Head of Customs Region 18, said: The unit has a plan to attract businesses in the coming time. Therefore, Customs Region 18 will create all favorable conditions regarding customs procedures; inspect production facilities, and conduct on-site inspections of goods. It will build a convenient, modern, and transparent customs clearance environment. In particular, Customs Region 18 will also continue to promote administrative procedure reform, expand full-process online public services, strengthen the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in procedural consulting and risk warning, and upgrade the monitoring system using electronic positioning seals, container scanners, and online cameras.

Mr. Van stated that dialogue is also emphasized, with "customs-business" conferences and thematic working sessions with the Provincial Association of Cashew Nuts being held more regularly to promptly address emerging issues and provide new legal information to businesses. Along with this, the unit aims to improve the quality of infrastructure and logistics connectivity, especially at bonded warehouses, inland container depots (ICDs), and border areas, while also preparing management plans for Long Thanh International Airport in the near future. The unit maintains teams and groups providing procedural advice at border/non-border customs checkpoints to organize consultation sessions to promptly understand the difficulties and obstacles faced by businesses during customs procedures.

Ngoc Lien

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/kinh-te/202512/phan-luong-xanh-cho-hoat-dong-xuat-nhap-khau-dieu-be93599/