Cashew nuts market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

Kenyan cashew nut production fell from 13 852 t in 2018 to 8 332 t in 2022, a trend driven primarily by aging orchards, poor agronomic practices, and low productivity, which were consistently highlighted as core constraints. The sharp 28% drop in output to 9 121 t in 2021 directly reflected these persistent challenges, including pest pressure and the prevalence of unimproved tree varieties.

A modest recovery to 8 997 t occurred in 2023, coinciding with renewed policy focus, notably the parliamentary review of the Coconut and Cashew Nut Bill aimed at reviving the sector. This period also saw continued announcements of investment, such as plans for new processing plants in Lamu and Kilifi, alongside efforts to distribute high-yielding seedlings to farmers, signaling attempts to reverse the long-term decline.

Regional market dynamics, including the Tanzanian government's direct crop purchases and involvement of the army in 2019, influenced cross-border trade and prices. Earlier initiatives like the launch of the Ten Senses Africa processing plant in 2018 and fair-trade certification for farmers aimed to improve value chain access, though their impact on immediate production volumes was limited.

Production cashew nuts in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya ranked as the 19th largest producer of cashew nuts globally.

Top producers of cashew nuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of cashew nuts, 2017-2020

Kenya's cashew nut production volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 12 668 tonnes of cashew nuts, marking a 1.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 33.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -12.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Cashew nut production in Kenya declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 72.9 million US dollars, representing a significant drop of 23.9% compared to the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 48.9%, with a CAGR of -20.0%.

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

Exports cashew nuts from Kenya

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 106.9 tonnes and peaked in 2017, with a 5.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Kenya's cross-border shipments of cashew nuts totaled 341.8 tonnes, an 82.0% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 80.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (39.6% of exports in kind), Canada (12.1%), and Germany (10.1%) were consistently the main destinations for Kenya's cashew nut exports, together accounting for 61.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations over the period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 905 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2017, with a 4.5-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Kenya's cashew nut exports stood at 1 967 thousand US dollars, up 39.9% year-over-year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 77.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 55.3%.

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

Over 2017-2020, the United States (37.8% of exports in value terms), Canada (13.6%), and the United Kingdom (10.2%) consistently led the country structure of Kenya's cashew nut exports, jointly making up 61.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cashew nuts to Kenya

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 23.5 tonnes and peaked in 2020, with a 7.5-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Kenya's cashew nut imports amounted to 177.1 tonnes, a 237.6% increase from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 54.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mozambique and Tanzania clearly dominated the country ranking for imports in kind, with their combined share reaching 99.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year increase, Kenya's cashew nut imports declined. In 2020, imports registered 324 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 2.4% drop compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 332 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 57.0%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 88.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 23.6%.

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

Over 2017-2020, Tanzania was the primary destination for Kenya's cashew nut imports in value terms, accounting for 70.1% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail of smaller partners.

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

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