Cashew nuts market in China

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the cashew nut market volume in China more than doubled, reaching 43,002 t. This initial surge was driven by a structural supply deficit which spurred import growth, coupled with an increase in the number of domestic processing enterprises that created additional demand for raw nuts. While the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused global supply chain disruptions, it also accelerated a shift in consumer preferences toward healthy snacks, supporting retail demand and boosting online sales channels.

Market growth continued in the following years, with volume rising to 54,329 t by 2023. Key drivers were trade initiatives: the launch of the Green Channel with Vietnam in 2023 simplified customs procedures, and the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2022 reduced tariffs and expanded market access among member countries. Concurrently, import source diversification, notably rising shipments from Cambodia which became the world's second-largest raw cashew producer, strengthened supply chain resilience. On the demand side, a sustained premiumization trend, exemplified by the popularity of products like purple-skinned cashews, supported retail sales growth.

The industry also evolved through the development of by-products such as cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) and cashew milk, creating new demand segments. Supply chain standardization and enhanced quality control, reflected in industry agreements, improved the competitiveness of Chinese processing. By 2024, further diversification, including growing imports from Côte d'Ivoire, and strengthened regional trade linkages pointed to the continuation of these trends.

Production cashew nuts in China

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cashew nuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of cashew nuts, 2017-2020

China produced 225 tons of cashew nuts in 2020, representing a 2.6% decline from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 3.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 212 tons. That same year saw the largest decline of 9.1%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 8.6%.

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

Exports cashew nuts from China

Exports in kind, t

The market demonstrated volatility throughout the observed period. Exports peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2020, showing a 5.1-fold difference between these years. China exported 15 tons of cashew nuts in 2020, marking an 80.4% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 77 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 220.5% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Kyrgyzstan were the principal destinations for China's cashew nut exports in volume terms. Hong Kong accounted for 43.2% of exports, Vietnam for 24.3%, and Kyrgyzstan for 18.6%. Together, these three markets represented 86.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. A 6-fold variation was observed between the peak in 2019 and the low in 2020. In 2020, China's cashew nut exports amounted to 0.1 million US dollars, down 83.3% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.4 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with 141.6% growth.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan, and Hong Kong were the largest buyers of Chinese cashew nuts in value terms. Vietnam accounted for 32.0% of export value, Kyrgyzstan for 29.0%, and Hong Kong for 27.4%. Collectively, these three markets represented 88.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cashew nuts to China

Imports in kind, t

China's cashew nut imports increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 42 792 tons. This represented a 17.2% year-over-year advance. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 251.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 52.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Vietnam, Togo, and Cambodia remained China's key partners for cashew nut imports in volume terms. Vietnam accounted for 58.2% of imports, Togo for 13.5%, and Cambodia for 10.7%. Together, these three countries represented 82.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2017, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, China imported cashew nuts worth 184.5 million US dollars, representing a moderate 9.5% decline from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 184.5 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred that same year with 82.9% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam dominated China's cashew nut imports in value terms, accounting for 86.6% of total flows. The remaining imports were distributed among a fragmented group of other markets.

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

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