Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The ASEAN market for coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews showed initial growth from 36 270 thousand tons in 2018 to 37 090 thousand tons in 2019, followed by a contraction to 35 991 thousand tons in 2020.

Market volume rebounded strongly to 38 425 thousand tons in 2021, driven by global health-conscious consumer trends that increased demand for nuts. A slight dip to 37 900 thousand tons occurred in 2022 amid price volatility in raw cashew nuts from key producing regions. Growth resumed in 2023, with volume reaching 38 487 thousand tons as demand for plant-based foods continued to rise, despite persistent supply and price challenges.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2017-2020

In 2019, ASEAN recorded its highest production of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews at 36 939 K t. However, in 2020, production declined by 1.6% year-over-year to 36 340 K t. The most significant growth occurred in 2018, with a 2.7% increase.

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

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from ASEAN

Exports in kind, K t

ASEAN's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1 460 K t, marking a substantial 35.7% increase compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 26.5%, averaging an annual decline of 9.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 949 K t, which also saw the sharpest drop of 52.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, ASEAN's export market for coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews was highly diversified. The top three destinations—China (23.1% of exports), Canada (11.6%), and the United States (9.8%)—collectively accounted for just 44.5% of total flows. The remaining 55.5% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, ASEAN's export value for coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews rebounded in 2020, reaching 4 111 M $ US, an 8.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, exports decreased by 10.5%, with an average annual decline of 3.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 800 M $ US, which also experienced the largest drop of 10.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (28.5% of export value), China (15.3%), and the Netherlands (11.5%) formed the core market cluster for ASEAN's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in value terms. Together, these three countries represented 55.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to ASEAN

Imports in kind, K t

ASEAN's import volume of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews showed notable volatility in recent years. In 2019, imports peaked at 1 228 K t, while 2018 saw the lowest level at 285 K t, creating a 4.3-fold difference. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 112 K t, reflecting a moderate decline of 9.5% from the previous year. The sharpest decrease occurred in 2018 at 76.3%, whereas 2019 recorded the largest increase of 331.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, ASEAN's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews were spread across a wide range of markets. The top three suppliers—Côte d'Ivoire (23.4% of imports), Ghana (8.9%), and Nigeria (7.9%)—combined for only 40.2% of total import flows, indicating significant diversification.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

ASEAN's import value for coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews declined for the third year in a row in 2020, falling to 1 988 M $ US, a 2.4% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports dropped by 33.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -12.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, the leading sources for ASEAN's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in value terms were Côte d'Ivoire (30.3% of imports), Ghana (10.7%), and Tanzania (10.4%). These three countries together accounted for 51.4% of total import flows.

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

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