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Cashew Cutting Machine in Cambodia

Cambodia has emerged as one of the most significant cashew origins in the world. In 2021 the country briefly became the largest single exporter of RCN globally, sending over 1.1 million metric tons to Vietnam alone. Even after a production correction in 2022–2023, Cambodia recovered to approximately 820,000 metric tons in 2024. The dominant variety — M23 — produces exceptionally large nuts that are prized by Vietnamese processors, placing Cambodia’s nut size profile on par with Indonesia and well above any African origin.

Cambodia’s Cashew Industry at a Glance

Metric	Value
Annual RCN production	~820,000 MT (2024, export to Vietnam)
Primary growing regions	Mondulkiri, Kratie, Kampong Thom, Stung Treng
Typical nut count / kg	145–170 nuts/kg (M23 variety)
KOR (outturn)	51–55 lbs per 80 kg
Size profile	30% A+, 42% A — 72% premium grades
Processing status	Majority exported raw to Vietnam; local processing sector developing

RCN Size Profile: What to Expect from Cambodia Nuts

The M23 variety dominates approximately 75–80% of Cambodian cashew plantations, and it produces some of the largest nuts in the global trade. Nut counts of 145–170/kg are typical, meaning most of the crop falls in the A+ and A size categories. On a 10-Head Vietnamese horizontal rotary cutter, Cambodian M23 nuts run at approximately 289 kg/hr — nearly 7% faster than Ivory Coast nuts and 18% faster than Nigerian-origin batches of the same weight. This translates directly to lower machine capital cost per tonne of output.

Choosing the Right Cutting Machine for Cambodia

The table below summarises the recommended cutting machine configurations for processing Cambodia-origin raw cashew nuts across a range of daily throughput targets. All throughput figures are adjusted for the size profile of Cambodia nuts.

Configuration	Machines	Throughput/unit	Total line	Best suited for
8-Head (16 blades)	1–2 units	~244 kg/hr	244–488 kg/hr	Small domestic plant, 4–10 T/day
10-Head (20 blades)	1–3 units	~293 kg/hr	293–879 kg/hr	Standard, 6–20 T/day
12-Head (24 blades)	1–3 units	~352 kg/hr	352–1056 kg/hr	Large export plant, 15–40 T/day

Throughput figures are adjusted for Cambodia’s nut size profile. All configurations refer to Vietnamese-style horizontal rotary cutting machines — the industry standard for whole-kernel yield on commercial-scale operations.

Key Operational Considerations for Cambodia

• M23 variety nuts are large and highly uniform — blade gap settings can be held constant across a full season harvest with minimal adjustment.
• Cambodia shares a border with Vietnam; many machines used in Cambodian plants are sourced directly from Vietnamese manufacturers, simplifying spare parts logistics.
• The National Cashew Policy (2023) actively supports domestic processing investment — explore available incentives before finalising your CAPEX plan.
• Harvest timing (January–April peak) does not overlap with West African seasons, making Cambodian-sourced machines particularly attractive to processors managing year-round throughput.
• Watch moisture content: M23 nuts from sandy soil areas tend to dry quickly, but ensure moisture is 8–10% before cutting to avoid kernel shattering.

Next Steps

Cambodia represents one of the best investment opportunities in cashew processing globally — premium nut sizes, government support, proximity to the world’s largest processing hub in Vietnam, and a rapidly growing domestic industry. Contact us with your capacity target and we will design a cutting machine line optimised for M23-variety RCN.

Use the Cutting Machine Design Calculator on cashew-technology.com to model your exact requirements based on your daily tonnage and chosen RCN origin. For a detailed quotation and installation plan, contact our technical team directly via the WhatsApp button on the calculator page.