Cashew nuts market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the cashew nut market volume in Central Africa experienced modest fluctuations, declining slightly from 2 211 tons to 2 164 tons. This dip in 2019 coincided with a significant increase in regional exports, a trend reflected in growing shipments from neighboring West African producers like Ghana. Early policy efforts, such as Cameroon's national strategy to develop the cashew value chain, began laying the groundwork for future market development during this period.

The market expanded notably in 2021 and 2022, reaching 2 292 tons, driven by a shift in industry focus. A growing international demand for flavored cashew nuts and supportive government initiatives across Africa stimulated local consumption. This was reinforced by a strong push for local processing, highlighted in UNCTAD reports, which encouraged retaining more raw nuts domestically, slashing exports to zero and increasing imports to meet the rising internal demand for processing and consumption.

Market volume stabilized at around 2 248 tons in 2023, supported by evolving consumer preferences for certified organic and vegan products. By 2024, the regional market was further shaped by major policy shifts, including Côte d'Ivoire's suspension of raw nut exports and Benin's export ban, both aimed at boosting domestic processing. This was accompanied by the inauguration of numerous industrial processing plants and increased farmgate prices, strengthening the local value chain and anchoring supply for the internal market.

Production cashew nuts in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cashew nuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of cashew nuts, 2017-2020

Cashew nut production in Middle Africa saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2020, production reached 2 144 tonnes, marking a 2.1% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 2.3%, which translates to an average annual rate of 0.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 190 tonnes, with the most significant year-on-year increase occurring in 2018 at 2.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports cashew nuts from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, kg

The market displayed notable volatility during the observed period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018, while the highest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 5.3 times. In 2020, Middle Africa exported 17 651 kg of cashew nuts, representing an 80.5% decrease compared to the previous year. The minimum value was 17 205 kg in 2018, and the maximum was 90 692 kg in 2019. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019 at 427.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, India, Vietnam, and Algeria were the key partners for Middle Africa's cashew nut exports in volume terms. India accounted for 38.8% of exports, Vietnam for 36.4%, and Algeria for 14.8%. Together, these three countries represented 90.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatile behavior during these years. Export values reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 11 times. In 2020, Middle Africa exported cashew nuts worth 5.8 thousand US dollars, a sharp decrease of 89.7% from the previous year. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019 at 116.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India and Vietnam dominated Middle Africa's cashew nut exports in value terms, accounting for the majority of trade. Other markets played a less significant role during this period.

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

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

Imports cashew nuts to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, kg

The market showed volatile trends during these years. Import volumes bottomed out in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2.2 times. In 2020, Middle Africa imported 38 490 kg of cashew nuts, a 41.5% decrease from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 84 050 kg, with the largest year-on-year increase also in 2018 at 82.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Mozambique, and India were the principal suppliers of cashew nuts to Middle Africa in volume terms. Portugal accounted for 32.9% of imports, Mozambique for 23.6%, and India for 7.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 63.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import values varied significantly, with a 4.7-fold difference between the maximum in 2018 and the minimum in 2020. In 2020, Middle Africa imported cashew nuts worth 147.7 thousand US dollars, which is 59.5% lower than the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 688.0 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase also in 2018 at 297.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Mozambique, Portugal, and India were the central markets for Middle Africa's cashew nut imports in value terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 81.4% of total import flows.

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

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