Cashews are primarily grown in tropical regions between 25°N and 25°S latitude, thriving in hot, lowland areas with a pronounced dry season and well-drained soils. The main cashew-producing countries include:
- India (notably Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, and West Bengal)
- Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
- Vietnam
- Tanzania
- Benin
- Guinea-Bissau
- Brazil (native origin and still a significant producer)
- Nigeria and other West African nations such as Burkina Faso
- Indonesia, Philippines, Mozambique, Thailand, and South Africa also have cashew cultivation
India and Côte d'Ivoire are among the largest producers, with Vietnam also a major player in production and export. Cashew trees require tropical climates with temperatures between 25 and 35°C, moderate rainfall (600–1,200 mm), and can grow from sea level up to 1,000 meters altitude
. The trees are evergreen and can grow up to 14 meters tall, producing the cashew nut attached below the cashew apple fruit
. In summary, cashews are grown extensively in tropical countries across South America, Africa, and Asia, with India, Côte d'Ivoire, and Vietnam leading global production
