Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in Cambodia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, Cambodia's production of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews grew significantly, primarily fueled by strong demand from Vietnam for raw cashews. Vietnamese processors, facing limited expansion at home, provided a reliable and high-paying outlet for Cambodian farmers, encouraging increased cultivation. This partnership laid the foundation for the sector's development, with production volumes rising from 83,000 tons in 2018 to 100,000 tons by 2023.

A key turning point came in 2022 when the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture and the Vietnam Cashew Association (Vinacas) signed a cooperation agreement. This pact facilitated technology transfer and support for plantations in ten provinces, directly contributing to a production jump to 102,000 tons that year. While the domestic market volume also grew in 2022, it contracted in 2023 as a surge in exports to 17,400 tons diverted supply abroad. During this period, the sector gained international recognition and support, including a $27 million project funded by the EU and Germany to enhance sustainability and competitiveness, and the hosting of the World Cashew Conference in Siem Reap.

By 2024, Cambodia emerged as a major global raw cashew producer. An exceptional harvest was driven in part by lower outputs in West Africa and India, which increased worldwide demand for Cambodian nuts. This global supply tightness, coupled with continued Vietnamese cooperation aimed at reaching a production goal of one million tons, solidified Cambodia's position in the international market.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Cambodia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

Cambodia produced 84 000 tonnes of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in 2020, marking a slight increase of 1.2% compared to the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 83 000 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 1.2%.

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

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from Cambodia

Exports in kind, t

Cambodia's cross-border shipments of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 4 661 tonnes, showing a significant uptick of 28.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 2 853.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 209.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China accounted for 76.4% of Cambodia's total exports in kind, while the remaining exports were distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Cambodia's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the export value amounted to 9 712 thousand US dollars, representing a robust increase of 20.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 1 286.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 140.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Cambodia's exports in value terms were China (69.0% of exports), Vietnam (8.4% of exports), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (7.4% of exports). Together, these three markets accounted for 84.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to Cambodia

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 82 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 858 tonnes, showing a 10.4-fold swing between these years. In 2020, Cambodia's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews amounted to 852 tonnes, a decline of 0.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 26.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 940.2%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Vietnam consistently accounted for 75.0% of Cambodia's total imports in kind, indicating a high concentration on this market. The remaining imports were shared among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their lowest value in 2019 at 206 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2018 at 730 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 3.5-fold gap. In 2020, Cambodia's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews came to 256 thousand US dollars, which is 23.9% higher than the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 71.7%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 146.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Cambodia's imports in value terms were Indonesia (41.1% of imports), Vietnam (29.2% of imports), and South Africa (25.3% of imports). Together, these three countries formed a cluster accounting for 95.6% of total import flows.

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

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