Sri Lanka targets 1 million cashew saplings as industry set for expansion
The Morning: Sri Lanka is planning to expand its cashew industry by increasing annual sapling production to around 1 million from the current 300,000-400,000, under a 10-year plan aimed at expanding scientifically cultivated cashew acreage, by the Ministry of Science and Technology, under the chairmanship of the Minister Prof Crishantha Abeysena, according to the Department of Government information (DGI).
According to the DGI statement, during the discussion held yesterday (7), stakeholders in the sector noted that primary attention has been given to develop and expand the cashew cultivation sector in the country by around 1 million saplings annually, however, the current production stands at only 300,000 – 400,000 saplings. To resolve this gap, a 10-year forward vision, scientific methods are essential to produce the required grafted plants, while expanding the systematically cultivated land, and the steps needed to expand this acreage.
According to the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) ‘Economic Statistics of Sri Lanka 2026’ report, Sri Lanka produced 16,825 metric tonnes of cashew during the year 2025 in terms of production and cultivated extent of minor export crops.
Prof Abeysena pointed out that steps would be taken to provide assistance through research institutes under the Ministry, to bridge existing research and technology gaps in identifying new cashew varieties, increasing yield, producing required grafted plants and quality seeds, and promoting advanced tissue culture propagation, according to the DGI.
He also emphasised that funding will be provided for targeted research, based on identified priority areas, focusing on the challenges facing the country’s cashew industry and the ways to develop it as a plantation crop, DGI stated.
Prof Abeysena highlighted the importance of establishing strategic links between the public and private sectors, creating mechanisms to import high-yielding germplasm from other countries under strong Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), as cited by the DGI.
Further, DGI stated that the discussion also focused on creating value-added by-products from the cashew tree, moving towards crop diversification, and conducting awareness campaigns to educate the public about cashew cultivation.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s plans to expand and modernise its cashew industry are creating emerging business/investment opportunities for foreign businesses/investors across plantation development, processing and exports. The Sri Lankan Government is targeting annual cashew sapling production of around 1 million, up from the current 300,000–400,000, under a 10-year plan to expand scientifically cultivated acreage and improve productivity. Sri Lanka produced 16,825 metric tonnes of cashew in 2025, highlighting the sector’s existing production base and potential for further growth. Business/investment opportunities are expected to extend beyond cultivation into modern nurseries, improved planting material, research and technology, processing facilities, value-added cashew products and export-oriented operations. The Sri Lankan Government is also seeking to address research and technology gaps through new varieties, higher-yielding plants, quality seeds and advanced tissue-culture propagation. For foreign businesses/investors, these developments could create opportunities to establish partnerships and businesses across the cashew value chain, while tapping into Sri Lanka’s potential to increase value-added agricultural exports and strengthen its position in international cashew markets.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20260914Z_2 |