Cashew: Fruit, Nut, and Shell Oil — How to Make the Most of This Crop

The cashew is the Brazilian crop with the highest potential for full utilization: the pseudofruit (cajuíno) is rich in vitamin C, the nut is the product with the highest unit value in northeastern horticulture, and the liquid from the nut shell (LCC) is a high-value industrial input for the chemical and friction industries. Three distinct products, three markets, one single plant.

Brazil is the second largest world producer of cashew nuts, with over 200 thousand tons per year, concentrated in Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, and Piauí. Brazilian cashew nuts are a global reference for quality — and cajuíno, still widely wasted, has a market potential for functional foods that awaits exploration.

When the cashew is fully utilized — cajuíno, nut, and LCC — with traceability and certification, this segment can significantly contribute to job and income generation in Brazil.

Participate in our strategic actions to implement the best solutions in the Brazilian agricultural sector. Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover 20 chains and 255 segments of the national agro — from grain chains to sustainable extraction, through horticulture, fruit farming, livestock, and much more.

The Innovation for Brazil to Produce More series was developed specifically to identify and implement the best available solutions in Brazil and around the world, in the 255 segments of the agricultural sector — with accessible technical language, updated data, and a focus on practical results for producers, suppliers, government officials, and marketers.

1.  Opportunities for Small Rural Producers

How the producer can maximize cashew income with full utilization

The cashew tree can generate three sources of income from the same plant — which represents the best revenue/hectare ratio in northeastern fruit farming when all products are properly marketed.

✔    Dwarf cashew tree clones: CCP 76, BRS 226, BRS 275 — productivity 4 to 5× higher than native

✔    Cajuíno: processing of the pseudofruit into pasteurized juice before spoiling

✔    Nut: proper drying and processing in partnership with processors

✔    LCC: collect and sell to the chemical industry instead of discarding

✔    PRONAF and FNE for family cashew farming in the Northeast

The E-Book 01 — Strategic Manual for Small Rural Producers presents, in detail, the best solutions for this segment and 254 others in Brazilian agriculture — focusing on methods, cost reduction, and progressive growth from Agro 1.0 to Agro 6.0.  Access now for BRL 99.00 →

2.  Opportunities for Micro and Small Local Suppliers

What equipment does the cashew chain demand for full processing

The cashew chain has a demand for cajuíno pasteurizers and nut shellers — especially for cooperatives of family farmers.

Solutions by area of engineering applied to the segment

Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover six major areas of engineering — and the chain demands solutions in all of them:

Electrical Engineering and Computing — flash pasteurizers for cajuíno; temperature control;

Electronic Engineering and IoT — sensors for vitamin C and pH of cajuíno;

Control and Automation Engineering — nut shellers and classifiers by size;

Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering — LCC processors; nut roasters;

Renewable Energy Engineering — solar for roasters and pasteurizers;

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence — crop management and traceability for export.

✔    Cajuíno pasteurizers for cooperatives — essential process for preservation

✔    Nut shellers and classifiers — separation by size for export

✔    Artisan nut roasters — premium product with high margin

✔    LCC collection systems — high-value industrial waste

✔    Nut packaging machines for retail and export

The E-Book 02 — Strategic Guide for Micro and Small Local Suppliers maps, segment by segment, the business opportunities — focusing on IoT, energy, automation, and specialized technical services.  Access now for BRL 99.00 →

3.  Opportunities for Municipal Governments

How northeastern municipalities can support cashew as a product of identity and export

The cashew is the main product of cultural identity in the Northeast after cocoa and açaí — and municipalities in Ceará, RN, and Piauí have the opportunity to create brands for cajuíno, nut, and LCC with certification and traceability for the premium market.

✔    Collective nut processing facility for family farmers

✔    Mini plant for pasteurized cajuíno with a municipal brand

✔    PNAE with local cajuíno and roasted nuts for school meals

✔    Cashew Festival — cultural identity, tourism, and connection with international buyers

✔    Municipal IDM: full utilization of the cashew as an indicator of sustainability

The E-Book 03 — Reference Guide for Municipal Governments presents the step-by-step for secretaries and municipal managers to implement effective public policies for the 255 segments of agriculture.  Access now for BRL 99.00 →

4.  Opportunities for Small Agricultural Product Retailers

How the cashew generates business for distributors, roasters, and the premium nut market

The premium cashew nut — large caliber, unbroken, and packaged with identified northeastern origin — reaches prices of R$ 60 to R$ 120/kg in the premium retail market and US$ 8 to US$ 15/kg in export, while bulk nuts are worth R$ 20 to R$ 30/kg.

The pasteurized cajuíno — natural cashew juice with 5× more vitamin C than orange — is one of the tropical functional products with the highest export potential that has yet to be fully explored. Most cajuíno is still wasted in the field due to the lack of processing.

Products with high commercial potential

The main products derived from this segment for local retail and foodservice:

Premium roasted cashew nuts — high turnover and margin product; 2 to 3× raw nut;

Pasteurized cajuíno — tropical juice rich in vitamin C; growing functional market;

Certified organic cashew nuts — premium export; USA, Europe;

Cashew butter — alternative to peanut butter; high margin;

Processed LCC — industrial input for friction and resins; high-value B2B;

Cashew nuts with chocolate — gourmet gift product; R$ 100 to R$ 200/kg.

Merchant profiles and their specific opportunities

✔    Roasters: premium cashew nuts for delis and export — 2 to 3× margin

✔    Distributors: pasteurized cajuíno for juice bars and supermarkets

✔    Delis and natural stores: organic nuts and premium cashew butter

✔    Exporters: premium nuts and cajuíno for USA and Europe

✔    Industry: LCC for friction components and industrial resins

✔    Digital platforms: cashew kit (nut + cajuíno + butter) — product of northeastern identity

Growth strategies for local merchants

The nut exporter who invests in size classification and premium packaging captures prices 2 to 4× higher than bulk nuts without additional processing. Classification in W180, W240, and W320 by international caliber is the differentiator that doubles the price without altering the product.

The BNB/FNE has specific lines for nut processors. The BNDES finances processing equipment. The Pronampe covers working capital for distributors.

The E-Book 04 — Strategic Guide for Small Agricultural Product Merchants maps 30 merchant profiles and details growth opportunities in all 255 segments of agriculture.  Access now for BRL 99.00 →

Innovation and Technology Network

By acquiring any e-book from the series, you become a member of our Innovation and Technology Network. Groups with 30 members can organize and fund in-person strategic planning events to identify and implement the best available solutions in Brazil and around the world.

✔    Small Rural Producers

✔    Micro and Small Supplier Companies

✔    Municipal Governments

✔    Small Agricultural Product Retailers

⭐  Special offer: I will provide 100% discount on the value of my working hours for the 10 pioneer events organized by 11/30/26 and held in December 2026. Therefore, the 10 pioneer groups will only cover the general expenses.

Sincerely,

Ivo Alves

CEO · Master's in Electrical Engineering and Computing · Specialist in Innovation and Technology Project Management

Professor: IFPB and UFRN  ·  38 years of experience in Engineering