Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in India

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in India declined from 17.96 million t in 2018 to 15.32 million t in 2022, primarily influenced by production and transportation disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A recovery began in 2023, with the market reaching 15.97 million t, supported by growing export demand and shifting consumer preferences toward health-conscious products.

The pandemic's supply chain disruptions in 2020 led to increased price volatility and constrained market volume. In response, government initiatives provided financial assistance for expanding coconut cultivation and improving productivity, while a supportive tax regime, including a 5% GST rate for cashews and an exemption for fresh coconuts, aimed to stimulate trade and consumption. These measures, alongside India's role as the world's largest importer of raw cashew nuts to support its processing sector, helped facilitate the market's partial rebound in 2021 and stronger growth in 2023.

Underlying the market's structure, traditional production centers in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh remained crucial for coconut output, while Maharashtra led in cashew productivity. The diversification into value-added coconut products, such as virgin coconut oil and coconut sugar, alongside rising global demand for dry fruits, created new segments that contributed to the market's recovery in the latter part of the period.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, India ranked as the second-largest producer of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews 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

India's production volume of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 14 709 thousand tons, marking a 4.6% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 23.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.3%. The highest output was in 2018 at 17 230 thousand tons, which saw the largest increase of 44.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the steepest decline of 10.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews production in India dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 58 481 million US dollars, down 17.5% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 16.8%, with an average annual decline of 6.0%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 90 769 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 29.1%. The most significant drop was in 2019, with a 21.9% decrease.

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

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from India

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews from India declined for the third straight year. In 2020, India exported 121.5 thousand tons, a 12.6% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 31.4%, translating to an annualized rate of 11.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in volume terms were spread across multiple destinations. The top three—United Arab Emirates (25.5% of exports), Vietnam (10.1%), and Saudi Arabia (6.4%)—combined for just 42.1% of total flows, indicating a diversified export market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

India's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in value terms fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 483 million US dollars, a 24.4% decrease from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value dropped by 53.8%, with an average annual decline of 22.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in value terms reached a wide range of markets. The leading destinations—United Arab Emirates (21.1% of export value), United States (10.5%), and Netherlands (10.4%)—together accounted for only 42.0% of total exports, while numerous smaller markets made up the remaining 58.0%.

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

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

Imports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to India

Imports in kind, K t

India imported about 882.8 thousand tons of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in 2020, a slight increase of 0.7% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 25%, with an annualized growth rate of 7.7%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 0.1%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with 24.2% growth.

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

During 2017-2020, India's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in volume terms were distributed across many partner countries. The top three—Côte d'Ivoire (16.6% of imports), Benin (15.8%), and Tanzania (11.7%)—jointly represented just 44.1% of total flows, showing a broad import base.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

India's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 122 million US dollars, down 3.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 24.9%, with an average annual drop of 9.1%. The highest value was in 2018 at 1 750 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 17.2%. The most significant decline was in 2019, with a 33.3% fall.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in value terms were not heavily concentrated. The leading markets—Côte d'Ivoire (16.4% of import value), Benin (14.5%), and Tanzania (13.8%)—together accounted for only 44.8% of total flows, reflecting a diversified import structure.

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

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