Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in MERCOSUR

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in MERCOSUR remained stable around 2.5 million tons annually from 2018 to 2021 before rising to 2.9 million tons in 2022 and reaching 3.1 million tons in 2023. The significant growth from 2021 onward coincided with a sharp drop in Brazilian exports of processed cashew nuts to historically low levels in 2022, a direct result of international trade restrictions and increased freight costs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This export contraction led more production to remain within the domestic market, increasing available volume. Earlier, an 18.2% rise in cashew exports from Ceará in early 2018, supported by the International Business Center, helped sustain production activity, while companies like Castanhas Ouro Verde joining export qualification programs prepared the sector for future internationalization.

The market structure progressively shifted toward domestic consumption, with over 77% of processed cashew production staying in Brazil by 2024. This trend was accompanied by the launch and consolidation of new product segments, such as ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages with cashew flavor in Northeast Brazil and the development of cashew-based milk alternatives, cheeses, and burgers catering to health and wellness preferences. Additionally, the approval of a new Cashew Law in Mozambique and a memorandum with China to open export markets for cashews created new potential trade avenues for the sector.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in MERCOSUR

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

In 2020, MERCOSUR produced 2 607 K t of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, marking a moderate year-over-year increase of 3.4%. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 10.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.0%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018, at 6.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The production value of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in MERCOSUR declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 12 876 M $ US, representing a 15.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 26.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.7%.

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

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from MERCOSUR

Exports in kind, t

MERCOSUR's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 22 817 t, showing a modest decrease of 3.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 32.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 9.8%. The highest export volume was in 2018, at 28 464 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 16.7%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, at 65.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for these products in kind was diverse. The United States (27.3% of exports in kind), Peru (12.5%), and Bolivia (8.6%) together accounted for 48.4% of total flows, with the remaining 51.6% distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of exported coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews from MERCOSUR declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 112.7 M $ US, indicating a robust decline of 21.3% over the past year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 11.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018, at 175.9 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 38.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for exports in value terms were the United States (37.4% of exports in value terms), the Netherlands (9.2%), and Canada (8.4%), which together accounted for 55.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to MERCOSUR

Imports in kind, t

The volume of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews imports into MERCOSUR declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 24 187 t, corresponding to a reduction of 16.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 48%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 19.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Indonesia (39.0% of imports in kind), Côte d'Ivoire (25.6%), and the Philippines (22.8%) were the key partners for imports in kind, together accounting for 87.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

MERCOSUR's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 42.7 M $ US, equivalent to a reduction of 0.9% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 57.2%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 24.7%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, Indonesia (30.2% of imports in value terms), the Philippines (23.5%), and Côte d'Ivoire (21.3%) remained the leading destinations in the country structure of imports in value terms, with a combined share of 75.0% of total flows.

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

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