Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The Chinese market for coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews grew substantially from 883 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 647 thousand tons in 2023, primarily driven by rising health consciousness among consumers and the gradual improvement of import channels and distribution systems. This demand encouraged new players to enter the market and invest in brand building, while government policies supporting healthy foods helped standardize the industry and strengthen supply chain management.

Despite global supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which caused slight import delays and price volatility, the market remained resilient as e-commerce emerged as a key sales channel. Later, the Ukraine conflict in 2023 contributed to lower international nut prices, affecting import costs, but Chinese demand continued to grow thanks to diversified supply sources and optimized logistics.

Market expansion was further supported by the broadening use of Brazil nuts in snacks, bakery, and health foods, alongside a consumer shift toward organic and natural products. Tighter import and quarantine requirements introduced in 2022 raised barriers for some suppliers, yet overall consumption kept rising as major companies boosted marketing and product innovation.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

China ranked 19th globally in coconut, Brazil nut, and cashew production from 2017 to 2020.

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

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

China's production of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output stood at 365.9 thousand tonnes, showing little change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 11.8%, averaging 3.8% annually. The highest production was recorded in 2018 at 403.2 thousand tonnes, which saw a 23.2% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 8.9% drop.

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

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from China

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, China exported 0.5 thousand tonnes of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, a 29.0% decrease from 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.7 thousand tonnes, following the largest increase of 159.3% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bangladesh (42.3% of exports by volume), Macao (25.1%), and Hong Kong (6.8%) consistently led China's export markets for these nuts, together accounting for 74.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. Export values hit their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.5-fold difference. In 2020, the value of coconut, Brazil nut, and cashew exports from China was 0.5 million US dollars, down 56.7% from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1.1 million US dollars, after the largest increase of 109.1% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Kyrgyzstan—together accounted for 57.3% of the total export value of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews from China.

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

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

Imports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to China

Imports in kind, K t

After rising for two years, China's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews declined. In 2020, imports were recorded at 694.8 thousand tonnes, down 2.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 71.4%, averaging 19.7% annually. The maximum import volume was in 2019 at 711.2 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 48.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Indonesia (38.8% of imports by volume), Thailand (31.8%), and Vietnam (22.9%) formed the core group of import markets for China, together representing 93.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year rise, China's import value for coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews declined. In 2020, imports registered 490.2 million US dollars, a slight decrease of 1.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 98.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 495.4 million US dollars, following the largest increase of 51.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia—together accounted for 90.6% of the total import value of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews to China.

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

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