Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Eastern Asia grew substantially from 936 thousand tons in 2018 to 1,692 thousand tons in 2023. The initial expansion was supported by the broader growth trajectory of the global tree nut and coconut industries, with rising demand within the region, particularly in China. This period saw the snack food industry moving towards greater product diversity and multi-channel availability, which helped increase overall consumption. The market's growth was briefly interrupted in 2020 when volume stabilized around 1,100 thousand tons, a period coinciding with global market adjustments.

Following 2020, market growth accelerated significantly, reaching 1,365 thousand tons in 2021. This surge was closely linked to innovation within China's snack sector, which focused on raw material upgrades, quality improvements, and compliance with revised food additive standards, making products like nuts and coconut-based snacks more appealing. The expansion continued through 2022 and 2023, fueled by the proliferation of online retail channels and the rapid rise of plant-based beverages, especially coconut drinks. Despite a global coconut supply shortage and rising prices in 2023—caused by climate issues and pests in major producing countries like Vietnam—the strong consumer demand for these trendy beverages and continued corporate investment supported further market growth to 1,692 thousand tons.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Eastern Asia

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

Eastern Asia's production of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 365.9 K t, showing no significant change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 11.8%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 403.2 K t, marking a 23.2% increase that year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 8.9% drop.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews production in Eastern Asia fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 475.5 M $ US, down 11.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 9.3%, averaging an annual decline of 3.2%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 676.1 M $ US, reflecting a 29.0% increase that year. The most significant drop was in 2019, with a 20.2% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews from Eastern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 6.8 K t, a sharp 54.3% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 41%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 16.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 17.5 K t, which represented a 51.6% increase that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the two main export destinations for coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews from Eastern Asia were Bangladesh and Vietnam, together accounting for 1.5% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews exports from Eastern Asia dropped for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 8.8 M $ US, marking a steep 59.6% decline year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 52.1%, averaging an annual fall of 21.8%. The peak was in 2018 at 29.3 M $ US, with a 58.7% increase that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal buyers of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews from Eastern Asia in value terms were Vietnam (2.9% of exports), Bangladesh (0.9%), and Malaysia (0.8%). Together, these three countries accounted for 4.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Eastern Asia's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in volume terms declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 741.1 K t, a modest 4.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 61.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.3%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 774.0 K t, which saw a 40.5% increase that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top suppliers of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews to Eastern Asia in volume terms were Indonesia (35.6% of imports), Thailand (33.0%), and Vietnam (22.2%). Combined, these three countries made up 90.8% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year upward trend, the value of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews imports into Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, imports totaled 667.5 M $ US, a slight 3.0% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 36.8%, with a CAGR of 11.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 688.4 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 27.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for imports in value terms of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews to Eastern Asia were Vietnam (31.0% of imports), Thailand (27.4%), and India (14.6%). Together, these three countries accounted for 73.0% of total import value.

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

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