Vietnam's cashew nut exports down 20 percent

Vietnam's cashew trading in the first two months of this year declined as increased prices ofraw material for cashew nut caused difficulties for companies in production and exports, Xinhua reported. 

A report by Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shows that the countryimported 28,000 tons of raw cashews at USD36 million in the first two months. 

The figure represents a 36.4 percent decreased in volume and a 20 percent decreased in value when compared to the corresponding period a year before. 

The US was the largest importer of Vietnamese cashew nuts accounting for 20 percent of the total. China came next at 20 percent of total cashew nut exports.