Cashew nuts market in Caribbean, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The Caribbean cashew nut market volume grew consistently from 1,710 t in 2018 to 2,221 t in 2023, a rise driven almost entirely by increasing imports. This import-led expansion occurred alongside a global strengthening of African processing capacity, noted from 2018, which increased the overall supply of cashew nuts available on the international market.

Policy support in key producing regions further bolstered global supply. In 2022, Côte d'Ivoire instituted a mandatory minimum farm-gate price and actively promoted local processing, leading to higher domestic transformation rates and more volumes entering global trade. Concurrently, the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), effective from August 2020, reinforced Vietnam's export focus to Europe, influencing worldwide trade patterns and availability.

The market's upward trend continued into 2023 and 2024, with imports reaching 1,767 t in 2024. This was sustained by ongoing increases in African production and processing, as seen in Côte d'Ivoire's rising output, while simultaneous pressure on Vietnamese processors due to weak demand added another layer to global supply dynamics, supporting import growth in the Caribbean.

Production cashew nuts in Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cashew nuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of cashew nuts, 2017-2020

Caribbean cashew nut production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 656.5 tonnes, which is 1.0% less than in 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 2.8%, with an average annual decline of 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Caribbean cashew nut output was valued at 5 420 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate decline of 8.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value actually increased by 8.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 732 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 5 903 thousand US dollars. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 24.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports cashew nuts from Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. The highest export volume was in 2017, while the lowest was in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 4.1 times. In 2020, Caribbean cashew nut exports amounted to 2 tonnes, which is 31.3% less than in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 69.6%, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 17.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (35.1% of exports in kind), the United Kingdom (16.7%), and Bunkers (7.1%) remained the top buyers of Caribbean cashew nuts, together accounting for 59.0% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 3.7 times. In 2020, Caribbean cashew nut deliveries reached 18 thousand US dollars, marking a decrease of 36.3% year-on-year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 71.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 48.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United States (34.3% of exports in value terms), the United Kingdom (15.0%), and Bunkers (7.4%) consistently led the country structure of exports in value terms, together making up 56.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports cashew nuts to Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

Caribbean cashew nut imports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 176 tonnes, up by 1.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 21.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, India (40.0% of imports in kind), Vietnam (38.8%), and the United States (14.1%) were the main suppliers of cashew nuts to the Caribbean, together comprising 92.8% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Caribbean cashew nut import values declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region imported a total of 7 123 thousand US dollars worth of cashew nuts, down by 4.4% versus the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 14.2%, with an average annual decline of 5.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 356 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 10.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 0.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In the 2017-2020 period, India (with 55.1% of total flows) and Vietnam (26.7%) together formed 81.8% of total imports in value terms, with other partners accounting for the remainder.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Caribbean in value, 2017-2020