Cashew nuts market in Indonesia

Earlier Report Observations

Cashew nut production in Indonesia increased from 147.6 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 166.3 thousand tonnes in 2021. This growth was supported by the 2018 regulation on household food industry certification (PIRT), which standardized processing and marketing, alongside a significant 46.3% surge in export value by 2019 that incentivized output. Although low productivity remained a constraint, large planting areas and the distribution of improved grafting seeds from sources like the Walambenowite Plantation Estate supported production volumes. Domestic market promotion campaigns highlighting cashews as a healthy snack and the growing role of SMEs in post-harvest processing helped expand the local market size to 109.2 thousand tonnes in 2021, with the value reaching 201.0 million USD.

Production declined to 146.4 thousand tonnes in 2022 and further to 140.6 thousand tonnes in 2023, influenced by noted pressures on the production side. During this period, the market size in volume terms rose to 121.9 thousand tonnes in 2022 before contracting to 110.2 thousand tonnes in 2023. The development of downstream processing opened new opportunities in sectors like automotive and construction, adding value. In 2023, export value recovered to 101.5 million USD with the highest shipment volume in six years, while SMEs in regions like NTT expanded domestic access by developing halal and PIRT-certified snack products.

Looking ahead, factors through 2025 include continued efforts to boost productivity through ecological cultivation technologies and improved seeds. Regulations such as the 2024 National Food Agency standard on local food product quality may affect quality benchmarks. Downstream processing development is expected to further integrate cashews into various industries, supported by global demand trends for healthy and plant-based snacks.

Production cashew nuts in Indonesia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Indonesia maintained the sixth position globally in terms of cashew nut production volume.

Top producers of cashew nuts, 2018-2021

World map of production of cashew nuts, 2018-2021

Cashew nut production in Indonesia grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, Indonesia produced 166.3 thousand tons of cashew nuts, remaining virtually unchanged from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production increased by 12.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following two years of decline, Indonesia's cashew nut production value rebounded. In 2021, the output was valued at 304.0 million US dollars, marking a 5.5% increase year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, however, production value decreased by 15.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 288.2 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 10.7% occurring that same year.

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

Exports cashew nuts from Indonesia

Exports in kind, t

Cashew nut exports from Indonesia fell for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 60 540 tons, representing a 28.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 6.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.1%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 88 950 tons, when exports surged by 56.5%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Vietnam was the dominant buyer of cashew nuts from Indonesia, accounting for 70.5% of total exports in volume, while other countries shared the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cashew nut shipments from Indonesia declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 110.6 million US dollars, a 24.4% drop from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 19.9%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 7.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 176.7 million US dollars, when exports rose by 27.8%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Vietnam, India, and the United States played leading roles in Indonesia's cashew nut exports by value. Vietnam accounted for 51.0% of exports, India for 14.9%, and the United States for 14.1%, together representing 80.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cashew nuts to Indonesia

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 1 801 tons and peaked in 2019 at 8 395 tons, showing a 4.7-fold difference. In 2021, cross-border shipments of cashew nuts to Indonesia totaled 3 354 tons, an 86.2% increase from the previous year. The largest decline of 78.5% occurred in 2020, while the largest increase of 135.8% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Côte d'Ivoire and Vietnam were the primary sources for Indonesia's cashew nut imports by volume, jointly accounting for 97.8% of total flows, with other partners making up the rest.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import values dropped to a low of 4.6 million US dollars in 2020 and peaked at 15.3 million US dollars in 2019, varying 3.3 times between these years. In 2021, Indonesia imported 7.7 million US dollars worth of cashew nuts, a sharp increase of 67.1% from the previous year. The largest decline of 69.9% was recorded in 2020.

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

Over the 2018-2021 period, Vietnam and Côte d'Ivoire consistently represented 98.2% of Indonesia's total cashew nut imports by value, indicating a high degree of market concentration, with a long tail of smaller markets accounting for the remainder.

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

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