Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in Malaysia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the physical market volume for coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Malaysia grew from 755.4 thousand tons to 907.3 thousand tons. This expansion was underpinned by a steady rise in domestic production, which increased from 511.8 thousand tons to 643.5 thousand tons over the period. The launch of the halal cheese nut business Haji Mohd in early 2019 introduced a new domestic player, adding manufacturing capacity and widening product distribution across Peninsular Malaysia, which contributed to the production growth observed that year.

In value terms, the market size contracted from $613.7 million to $500.9 million during the same six-year span, indicating shifts in product mix or price levels despite the rising physical volume. Import volumes fluctuated, reaching a peak of 302.1 thousand tons in 2020 before moderating, while export volumes remained relatively stable between 17.5 and 26.0 thousand tons. Trade data through 2025 shows import variability, with volumes reaching 316.6 thousand tons in 2024, while exports gradually declined from their 2021 high.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Malaysia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Malaysia ranked 14th globally in production volume for coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews.

Top producers of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2018-2021

World map of production of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2018-2021

Following two years of growth, Malaysia's production of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews declined. In 2021, the country produced 574.0 K t, marking a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 12.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 577.5 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 8.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the output of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in Malaysia was valued at 457.1 M $ US, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value fell by 17.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 441.0 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 20.4%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the biggest increase at 3.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Malaysia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from Malaysia

Exports in kind, K t

Malaysia's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 26.0 K t, an increase of 18.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports rose by 48.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 14.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Singapore (40.5% of exports in kind), Pakistan (22.8%), and Turkey (9.8%) formed the key group of partners for Malaysia's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, collectively accounting for 73.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Malaysia's export value of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports amounted to 20.7 M $ US, reflecting a robust rise of 19.0% over the past year. Between 2018 and 2021, export value grew by 9.4%, with an annualized rate of 3.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 15.0 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 20.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malaysia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Throughout 2018–2021, Pakistan (24.1% of exports in value terms), Singapore (20.2%), and the United Kingdom (14.4%) formed the core of Malaysia's export partners, together accounting for 58.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Malaysia in value, 2018-2021

Imports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to Malaysia

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of gains, Malaysia's import volumes of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews declined. In 2021, imports reached 272.3 K t, indicating a measured contraction of 9.9% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 4.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 302.1 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Indonesia dominated the partner structure for imports in kind, consistently accounting for 96.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Malaysia's import value of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews rose for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 103.8 M $ US, reflecting a substantial increase of 10.2% year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value grew by 31.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 78.5 M $ US, which saw a slight decline of 0.2%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest increase at 20.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malaysia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2018–2021, Indonesia (66.4% of imports in value terms), India (11.7%), and Vietnam (8.2%) continued to be the main suppliers of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews to Malaysia, jointly forming 86.3% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Malaysia in value, 2018-2021