Cashew nuts market in India

Earlier Report Observations

The cashew nut market in India opened the period with a volume of 1.6 million tonnes in 2018, supported by a reduction in basic customs duty and GST on raw nuts, which lowered input costs for processors. Market volume then dipped to 1.5 million tonnes in 2019 before stabilizing at that level through 2020. The supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic were offset by a concurrent rise in consumer demand for healthy snacks, including cashews, which helped maintain market size.

A recovery began in 2021 as the market grew slightly to 1.5 million tonnes, driven by government initiatives to mechanize and incentivize cashew production alongside sustained health-conscious demand. This was followed by a sharp expansion in 2022, with market volume surging to 2.1 million tonnes, coinciding with reported increases in domestic nut production and continued state support for the industry.

In 2023, the market contracted to 1.9 million tonnes. This decline was influenced by rising energy and fuel prices, which increased processing and logistics costs, and adverse climate impacts such as heatwaves and floods that affected crop yields. Moving into 2024, government programs aimed at expanding cultivation and adopting high-yield varieties continued, focusing on strengthening the raw material base for the sector.

Production cashew nuts in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, India held the top position globally in cashew nut production.

Top producers of cashew nuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of cashew nuts, 2017-2020

India's cashew nut production fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 703.0 K t of cashew nuts, a 5.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 5.6%, with an annualized decline of 1.9%. The highest output was in 2018 at 817.0 K t, while the sharpest decline occurred in 2019 with a 9.1% drop. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, rising by 9.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in India in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

India's cashew nut production value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 4 459 M $ US, down 13.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value fell by 39.2%, translating to an annualized decrease of 15.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in India in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cashew nuts from India

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, India exported 66.9 K t of cashew nuts, a significant drop of 20.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 31.2%, with an annualized decline of 11.7%. The largest increase was in 2019, up by 6.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, key buyers of Indian cashew nuts in volume terms included the United Arab Emirates (17.8% of exports), Vietnam (16.7%), and the Netherlands (10.3%). However, their combined share accounted for only 44.8% of total exports, with the remaining 55.2% distributed among many other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

India's cashew nut export value declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 425 M $ US, a 27.5% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 55.7%, with an annualized decline of 23.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, the export market in value terms was diverse. The United Arab Emirates (20.4% of exports), the Netherlands (11.5%), and Japan (11.0%) together made up only 42.9% of total flows, while a substantial 57.1% went to many other countries.

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

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

Imports cashew nuts to India

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, India imported 877.5 K t of cashew nuts, a slight increase of 2.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 24.3%, with an annualized growth rate of 7.5%. The largest decline was in 2019, down 2.2%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018, up 24.1%.

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

The import market in volume terms from 2017 to 2020 was broad. Côte d'Ivoire (16.7% of imports), Benin (16.0%), and Tanzania (11.8%) together accounted for just 44.5% of total flows, with the remaining 55.5% shared among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

India's cashew nut import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 111 M $ US, a small drop of 2.4% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 25.5%, with an annualized decline of 9.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 748 M $ US, while the sharpest fall was in 2019, down 34.9%. The largest increase was in 2018, up 17.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire (16.5% of imports in value terms), Benin (14.6%), and Tanzania (13.9%) were notable suppliers of cashew nuts to India, but their combined share reached only 45.1% of total imports, indicating a diverse supplier base.

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

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