As we enter the final months of 2025, Vietnam’s cashew industry faces not only fluctuations in kernel and raw cashew nut (RCN) prices but also the strong impact of logistics costs and international freight rates. These factors often determine exporters’ real profit margins, especially in a highly competitive market against India and African suppliers.
📦 Logistics cost landscape in 2025
- International freight rates:
- Routes to the US & EU: after the “price spike” of 2022–2023, by mid-2025 freight had cooled by about 15–20% compared with 2024. However, current rates remain more than double pre-COVID levels.
- Routes to China and Northeast Asia: more stable, with costs 30–40% lower than long-haul routes; suitable for short-term and high-volume shipments.
- Domestic costs:
- Container transport from Binh Phuoc/Dong Nai to Cat Lai or Cai Mep ports rose slightly due to fuel prices and toll fees.
- Periodic container shortages increased warehousing and port storage costs beyond projections.
- Logistics surcharges:
- THC, fuel surcharges, and documentation fees have risen steadily.
- Carriers are applying environmental surcharges (ETS, carbon tax) for Europe-bound cargo, adding an estimated 3–5% per container.
💵 Impact on FOB prices & competitiveness
- FOB prices inflated by logistics: When ocean freight rises, exporters must add this cost into FOB offers, making Vietnamese cashews less competitive compared with India and Africa.
- OEM/retail orders under pressure: For smaller orders (10–15 tons, in zip pouches or PET jars), logistics costs account for a high share of value, directly affecting supermarket and distributor purchasing decisions.
- Cash-flow strain: Delayed containers or prepaid freight charges create financial stress, particularly for small and medium-sized processors.
🌍 Global logistics trends shaping the industry
- Geopolitics & maritime security: Instability in the Red Sea and Panama Canal has pushed up insurance costs, extended transit times, and disrupted delivery schedules.
- “Green logistics” trend: Carriers are introducing carbon emission surcharges, forcing exporters to shoulder added “green” costs.
- Rising demand for reefer containers: Buyers in the EU, South Korea, and Japan increasingly request temperature-controlled shipping for roasted and flavored cashew products, raising transport costs.
📈 Strategic responses for Vietnamese cashew exporters
- Negotiate long-term contracts with carriers/forwarders: secure 6–12 month rate agreements to lock in freight during peak Q4 season.
- Optimize packaging & load factors: fully utilize 20ft/40ft HC containers to reduce cost per kilogram of kernels.
- Diversify shipping routes & ports: prioritize Cai Mep for US–EU routes to reduce congestion and storage fees compared with Cat Lai.
- Apply logistics technology: implement real-time container tracking and shipment management to minimize risks of delays.
- Leverage OEM/private label: increase order value per container, reducing the logistics cost ratio per shipment.
✅ Conclusion
With FOB kernel prices holding steady but logistics costs remaining volatile, exporters must actively manage freight and negotiate logistics to safeguard margins. Thanks to production capacity and full international certifications, Vietnam’s cashew industry can maintain its competitive edge—if companies optimize logistics and maximize the value of OEM/private-label channels.
📧 Contact for OEM & Export (Cashew): thanh@svc.vn
📱 WhatsApp: (+84) 909 432 477
📚 References
- Vietnam Customs & VINACAS – Export & Logistics Cost Report 2025
- VietnamPlus – Maritime & shipping news
- African Cashew Alliance (AfriCashewSplits) – Logistics & transport reports 2025
- Drewry Shipping Index 2025 – Global container freight trends