Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in Bangladesh

Earlier Report Observations

The combined market volume for coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in Bangladesh contracted from 470 thousand tons in 2018 to 411 thousand tons in 2023, reflecting a parallel decline in domestic production from 467 thousand tons to 404 thousand tons over the same six-year period. Imports initially remained low but began a steady increase after 2020, rising from 3.9 thousand tons that year to 7.5 thousand tons by 2022.

Specific developments in the cashew nut segment, a key component of this market, introduced new dynamics. In 2021, the government launched a program to distribute free cashew saplings to farmers, targeting a major increase in production to support future exports. Concurrently, plans were set to boost imports of raw nuts for processing and re-export. This policy direction was reinforced in 2023 with a proposal to raise the import duty on processed cashew nuts from 15.25% to 43%, aiming to protect and stimulate local industry. These measures contributed to a significant rise in raw cashew nut imports, which reached 20.4 thousand tons in 2024, indicating expanded processing capacity and responding to growing domestic demand.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Bangladesh

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Bangladesh ranked 16th globally in the production of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews.

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

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

In 2020, Bangladesh produced 431.6 K t of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, showing little change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 5.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.8%. The highest production was recorded in 2018 at 467.0 K t, with the largest increase of 14.3% occurring that year. In contrast, the largest decline of 7.6% was observed in 2019.

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

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from Bangladesh

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes peaked in 2017 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, resulting in a 17-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bangladesh exported 63 t of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, marking a sharp decrease of 81.3% compared to the previous year. The largest increase of 17.2% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India and Vietnam were the primary destinations for exports in kind, jointly accounting for 91.4% of total flows, while other partners held significantly smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. A 17-fold variation was observed between the peak in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Bangladesh's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews reached 135 K $ US, which is 64.7% lower than in 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 89 K $ US, with the largest decline of 94.2% occurring that year. Conversely, the largest increase of 331.9% was seen in 2019.

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

During 2017–2020, Vietnam and India dominated as the main destinations for exports in value terms, jointly representing 95.5% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed among other markets.

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

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

Imports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to Bangladesh

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes varied twofold, with the high in 2020 and the low in 2019. In 2020, Bangladesh imported approximately 3 905 t of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, up by 96.8% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 984 t, with the largest decline of 34.5% occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam (40.8% of imports in kind), Malaysia (23.0% of imports in kind), and Papua New Guinea (10.1% of imports in kind) consistently served as the main sources for imports in kind, together making up 73.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews into Bangladesh increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 10 697 K $ US, reflecting a sharp gain of 78.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 281.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 56.3%.

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

Over 2017–2020, imports in value terms of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews to Bangladesh were largely concentrated on Vietnam, which accounted for 75.8% of total flows, with other countries forming the residual share.

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

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