Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Kenya expanded from 119,000 tonnes in 2018 to 122,700 tonnes in 2019. This growth was driven by the launch of a new EU-funded cashew nut processing factory in Kilifi County with an annual capacity of 5,000 tonnes, which improved prices for farmers and boosted local processing capacity, supported by active state and regional government promotion.

Market volume stabilized at around 122,600 tonnes in 2020 but then fell sharply to 95,100 tonnes in 2021 and 79,900 tonnes in 2022. This decline was primarily due to persistently low local supply, which forced processors to import nuts. Government initiatives to revive the cashew nut sector through policy support and farmer training on agronomic practices like proper spacing and grafting were introduced, but could not immediately offset the supply shortfall. Cashew nut farming remained concentrated in Coastal Kenya, where profitability factors such as pest control and market access influenced overall productivity.

A recovery began in 2023, with market volume rising to 90,800 tonnes. This turnaround was supported by continued state commitment to spur farming, including plans to establish additional processing factories to add value locally and reduce reliance on imports. The emergence of cashew nut farming as a lucrative venture in the Coastal region, due to favorable climate and soil conditions, also contributed to the rebound.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya ranked as the 29th largest global producer of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, establishing itself among the world's leading producers of these commodities.

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

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

In 2020, Kenya produced 122.7 thousand tonnes of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, showing no significant change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 10.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 122.7 thousand tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 7.0%.

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

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from Kenya

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes displayed irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 127 tonnes, then climbed to their peak in 2017, representing a 12.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Kenya's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews amounted to 397 tonnes, marking a steep year-over-year increase of 94.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 91.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania, the United States, and Canada were the main destinations for Kenya's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in volume terms. Tanzania accounted for 44.0% of exports, the United States for 20.5%, and Canada for 6.3%, with these three countries together representing 70.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export values hit their lowest point in 2018 at 918 thousand US dollars, then reached their maximum in 2017, with a 4.5-fold amplitude between these years. In 2020, Kenya's export value for coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews totaled 2 058 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a 41.3% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 77.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 58.7%.

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

In value terms from 2017 to 2020, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom were the primary destinations for Kenya's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews. The United States accounted for 37.0% of export value, Canada for 13.4%, and the United Kingdom for 10.0%, with these three countries collectively representing 60.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to Kenya

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Volumes dropped to their lowest point in 2018 at 123 tonnes, then peaked in 2020, showing a 2.5-fold fluctuation between these years. In 2020, Kenya's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews totaled 310 tonnes, marking a sharp gain of 89.6% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 32.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Indonesia consistently occupied leading positions as suppliers of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews to Kenya in volume terms. Tanzania accounted for 21.4% of imports, Mozambique for 20.9%, and Indonesia for 17.2%, with these three countries jointly accounting for 59.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values for coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in Kenya increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 539 thousand US dollars, representing a solid increase of 18.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 39.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Indonesia remained the principal suppliers of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews to Kenya in value terms. Tanzania accounted for 41.1% of import value, Mozambique for 16.6%, and Indonesia for 15.6%, with these three countries jointly accounting for 73.3% of total imports in value terms.

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

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