Cashew nuts market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

The Brazilian cashew nuts market declined from 135.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 96.1 thousand tons in 2021. This contraction was influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which restricted international trade and raised freight costs, constraining export activity. In 2021, the sector's heavy reliance on imported raw material became a bottleneck, as low imports limited processing capacity and contributed to the drop in domestic production.

A sharp reversal occurred in 2022, when market volume surged to 152.5 thousand tons. This rebound was driven by favorable weather conditions in key producing states, which boosted yields and increased national production by 33%. The market also expanded beyond the nut itself, as processors began utilizing the cashew apple for juices, concentrates, and sweets, creating additional consumption segments.

In 2023, the market volume adjusted to 117.3 thousand tons, returning closer to pre-pandemic levels.

Production cashew nuts in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil ranked 10th globally in cashew nut production.

Top producers of cashew nuts, 2018-2021

World map of production of cashew nuts, 2018-2021

In 2021, Brazil produced 111.0 K t of cashew nuts, marking a significant decrease of 20.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 21.5%, which translates to an annualized decline of 7.7%. The only increase during this time was a modest 0.5% in 2020.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Cashew nut production in Brazil declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, the output was valued at 704 M $ US, down 11.7% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production dropped by 46.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -18.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports cashew nuts from Brazil

Exports in kind, t

Brazil's exports of cashew nuts declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country exported 15 278 t, showing a slight reduction of 3.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 22.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 7.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 17 089 t, which also saw the largest increase of 37.0%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest decline of 7.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands remained the top buyers of Brazilian cashew nuts in volume terms. The United States accounted for 35.8% of exports, Canada for 10.3%, and the Netherlands for 9.6%, together making up 55.6% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Brazil exported cashew nuts worth 96.8 M $ US, a 6.5% increase from the previous year. However, over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 16.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 91.0 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 25.0%. The peak was in 2019 at 121.2 M $ US.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands were the primary buyers of Brazilian cashew nuts in value terms. The United States held a 38.9% share, Canada 10.4%, and the Netherlands 10.3%, collectively comprising 59.6% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021

Imports cashew nuts to Brazil

Imports in kind, t

There were notable fluctuations in import volumes during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 217 t, marking a sharp decline of 95.9% from the peak in 2018, with volumes varying by 32 times between these years. In 2021, imports rebounded to 349 t, showing a significant increase of 60.8% compared to 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, imports of cashew nuts to Brazil were heavily concentrated, with Côte d'Ivoire accounting for 90.1% of the total volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Import values showed considerable volatility over this period. The lowest point was in 2020 at 0.8 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 85.0% from the peak in 2018, with values differing by 17 times. In 2021, imports rose to approximately 1.0 M $ US, an uptick of 27.8% compared to 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Over the 2018-2021 period, Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau dominated Brazil's cashew nut imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 87.6% of total flows, while the remainder was distributed among smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021