<p>BRAZIL's 2013 cashew nut production is forecast to increase by 259.6%, according to the country's statistical institute IBGE.</p> <p>Cashew producers are expected to harvest 273,481 tons of cashew nuts, up from last year's 76,054 tons. Although the area planted with cashew trees in Brazil contracted from 779,990 hectares in 2012 to 739,078 hectares in 2013, IBGE expects average yields per hectare almost to quadruple from 101 tons to 381 tons in 2013.</p> <p> </p>