Vietnam organises cashew-themed ‘rendezvous'
The Vietnam Cashew Association (Vinacas) will organise an international conference on the development of the cashew industry in Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province from May 15 to 17.
Some 200 organisations from all over the country are expected to attend along with researchers and buyers from many countries.
Besides speeches and dialogues at an open forum, Vinacas will encourage and enable partners, including buyers and sellers, to work "intimately" to find business opportunities and increase business volumes.
"Private conversation" is an initiative by Vinacas to enable business negotiations and boost volumes for its members and foreign partners.
Last year its members exported a total of 252,561 tonnes of cashew kernel for US$1.57 billion, up 26% in volume year-on-year and 19.58% in value.
The association estimates that in 2014 exports will be around 180,000 tonnes of kernel, earning approximately US$1.5 billion.
In the first quarter of this year, 51,000 tonnes were shipped for US$319 million, up 19.11% in volume and 21.6% in value.
A Vinacas official said the conference will offer a tremendous opportunity for producers and exporters to meet face-to-face, the best way to do cashew business.
Importers of Vietnamese cashew usually buy through brokers, and by holding the conference Vinacas is trying to get customers to come and buy directly from cashew businesses.