Vietnam’s LP cashew exports surge in July as product mix shifts
Vietnam’s exports of LP cashew kernels rose more than 151% by volume and over 189% by value in July from June. The monthly surge came despite lower LP shipments across the first seven months of 2026, while demand in the United States and Germany supported the broader market.
LP shipments record triple-digit monthly growth
Vietnam’s exports of LP cashews, or large broken kernel pieces, increased by more than 151% in volume and over 189% in value in July compared with the previous month, according to preliminary Vietnam Customs data reported by Znews. The rise was the strongest monthly growth among the cashew categories covered by the data and points to greater demand for products beyond the industry’s traditional whole white kernels.
The July jump did not reverse the longer-term performance of the segment. LP export volume in the first seven months of 2026 remained below the level recorded in the same period of 2025. Shipments of WS/WB, W450 and DW cashews also declined year on year, showing that the surge was concentrated in a single month rather than spread evenly across the year.
W240 gains share while major grades diverge
Vietnam’s cashew exports remain dominated by the W320, W240 and W180 grades. Together, these three products accounted for about 62.4% of total export volume. In July, W240 exports reached 12,000 tonnes worth $90 million, rising 7.8% in volume and 8.3% in value from June. W180 volume increased 24%, while its export value rose 23.3%. W320 remained the leading grade by volume and revenue, although both measures grew by only 7.6%.
Performance across the first seven months was mixed. W320 exports fell 10.6% year on year to 136,300 tonnes, while their value declined by more than 13% to nearly $953 million. W180 shipments dropped 28.3% to 54,700 tonnes, with value down 13.8% to more than $437 million.
W240 moved in the opposite direction. Exports rose nearly 20% to 66,100 tonnes and increased 17.3% in value to almost $486 million. Its share of export volume climbed from 13.3% in the first seven months of 2025 to 16% in the same period of 2026. Vietnam Customs said the changing mix indicates that exporters are diversifying their portfolios and serving a broader range of customer segments.
US recovery and German premiums support demand
The United States provided a stronger demand backdrop during the first half of 2026. US cashew imports increased nearly 13% to 69,703 tonnes, while their value rose 13.6% to about $470 million. Vietnam supplied 62,618 tonnes, close to 90% of the total, worth approximately $424.7 million at an average price of $6,783 per tonne. Znews linked the increase to continued purchases by snack manufacturers, retailers, food processors and plant-based food brands.
Vietnam also strengthened its position in Germany. During the first five months of 2026, German imports from Vietnam reached 22,300 tonnes valued at $170.5 million, up 9.7% in volume and 23.9% in value year on year. The average price was $7,619 per tonne, 13.4% higher than a year earlier and above Germany’s overall cashew import average of $7,557 per tonne. Vietnam remained Germany’s largest supplier, although shipments from India and Côte d’Ivoire grew rapidly from smaller market shares.
Cashew prices in India, Vietnam and the Netherlands were trading within a narrow range, with Vietnamese exporters slightly raising offer prices. Vietnam Customs expects prices to remain stable or edge higher in the short term, particularly for premium grades, provided India’s monsoon and Vietnam’s seasonal rains do not disrupt supply chains. The contrast between LP’s July surge and its year-to-date decline means processors and traders will need further monthly data before treating the increase as a sustained change in demand.
