Cashew

Cashew is grown as a long-lived tropical evergreen tree, established from seedlings or grafted planting material depending on region and production system. Its tolerance of heat, drought, and marginal soils has made it an important crop in areas less suited to many other tree crops.

Production spans smallholder plantings, often intercropped with other species, as well as larger commercial operations, with cultivar choice and management practices varying widely by producing region.

Family

Anacardiaceae (sumac/cashew family)

Genus

Anacardium

Principal species

Anacardium occidentale (cashew)

Fruit structure

The true botanical fruit is the kidney-shaped nut that forms at the end of the "cashew apple," a fleshy, edible structure that is actually a swollen pedicel (stalk), not a true fruit

Growth habit

Evergreen tree, grown from seedlings or grafted material depending on region and production system

Cashew is native to tropical parts of South America, particularly Brazil, and was subsequently introduced to other tropical regions, including parts of Africa and Asia, where it has since become established as a significant smallholder and commercial crop.

Current production statistics, leading producing countries, and trade patterns shift over time; up-to-date figures are best obtained from primary sources such as FAOSTAT and national agricultural statistics services rather than assumed.

Cashew is adapted to hot, tropical climates and shows notable tolerance of both drought and heat once trees are established, making it suitable for regions where rainfall is seasonal or limited. It generally requires a distinct dry period for good flowering and nut development.

Cashew is sensitive to cold and frost and is not suited to temperate climates, restricting its cultivation to tropical and near-tropical zones.

Cashew is notably adaptable to marginal soils, including sandy and light-textured soils of relatively low fertility, where it often outperforms many alternative crops. Deep, well-drained soils are still preferred, as the species has limited tolerance for waterlogging.

Establishing a cashew planting involves selecting seedling or grafted material suited to local conditions and spacing trees to allow for their eventual mature canopy size. Because of its tolerance for marginal land, cashew is frequently established in agroforestry arrangements alongside other crops or in reforestation and land-rehabilitation contexts.

• Planting material selection: seedling versus grafted, depending on region and desired uniformity
• Spacing to accommodate mature canopy spread
• Integration into agroforestry or intercropping systems where appropriate
• Long-term canopy and orchard floor management across many productive years

Nitrogen supports vegetative growth, while potassium contributes to nut development and overall tree vigor. Zinc is a micronutrient of relevance to cashew, since deficiency can affect shoot growth and flowering.

Cashew is grown predominantly rain-fed in many traditional production regions, reflecting its drought tolerance once established, though irrigation, including drip irrigation, is used in some commercial plantings to support establishment and improve nut yield and quality.

Because a dry period supports flowering, irrigation scheduling in irrigated systems is managed carefully to avoid disrupting the natural flowering response to seasonal dryness.

Anthracnose can affect flowers, young shoots, and developing fruit, particularly during humid periods. Root rot, often linked to poorly drained sites, can weaken or kill trees over time. Insect pests include aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects, which can affect shoots, flowers, and developing nuts and may also promote sooty mold through honeydew production.

Management combines resistant or tolerant planting material where available, sanitation, monitoring, and — where justified — locally authorized control products applied according to their labels.

Cashew nuts are typically harvested after the cashew apple and attached nut fall to the ground, at which point the nut is detached from the apple and collected. The nut is subsequently dried before further processing to extract the kernel.

The cashew nut shell contains caustic phenolic compounds, known collectively as cashew nut shell liquid, which is why raw kernels require careful processing, including roasting or steaming steps, before the shell is removed and the kernel is safe to eat.

• Roasted and processed kernels for direct consumption
• Cashew apple used fresh, or processed into juice and other beverages in some producing regions
• Cashew nut shell liquid, a by-product with industrial applications
• Kernel-based ingredients used in confectionery and snack products