Changes in the weather, with prolonged cold temperatures and rain at the start of 2025, impacted cashew nut yield in the first quarter. Recommendations to train local cashew nut farms in reducing the pesticide fertiliser in a safe way was introduced by GIZ to resolve climate-impacted yield and improve post-harvesting infrastructure for better export. Suy Kokthean, Vice President of Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC), told Kiripost on Wednesday that the yield of cashew nuts dropped in the first few months of 2025 due to the cold weather and sudden rain which is not good for the plants. “In 2024, there were not many issues relating to cashew nuts. But in the first three months of 2025, many issues cropped up due to climate change,” he said. “The weather was getting cold for too long including raining for too long. All this negatively affected the flowering and fruiting,” he added. The CAC has yet to finish its evaluation of the yield impact, sales and profit as it is only completed at the end of the harvest season. In order to tackle this problem, the CAC provides local cashew nut farmers with the techniques to make the flowers bloom faster. However, he stressed that climate change can not be resolved immediately since it is a natural occurrence. A recent Cambodian Cashew Value Chain Analysis conducted by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), a Germany organisation, highlighted issues such as harvesting methods, post harvesting issue, overuse of pesticides and climate change. “It is not surprising in the context of rapid production growth but needs to change in order to mitigate the market risk and to ensure that the sector is resilient to climate change,” the GIZ suggested. “There is a high use of chemical inputs such as fertiliser and for pest control. The regulation and training in the use of these inputs is emerging as a concern,” the analysis mentioned, recommending proper training about how to use chemical fertiliser safely. GIZ has estimated that by the end of 2024, Cambodia will be able to process 72,625 tonnes of cashew nut or 8.6 percent of the 2024 target. In 2023, only 18,131 tonnes were processed which was three percent of that year’s target yield.