Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in Papua New Guinea

Earlier Report Observations

Papua New Guinea's market for coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews saw production hold steady at about 1.78 million tonnes in 2018 and 2019 before falling sharply to approximately 1.18 million tonnes from 2020 onward. This decline coincided with the industry's recognition that over half of the country's coconut trees were 60-80 years old and past their peak productivity, reducing overall nut yields.

In response, the Kokonas Indastri Koporesen (KIK) implemented its long-term strategy to revive the sector through replanting, farmer support, and diversification into higher-value goods. The push into downstream processing led to a notable rise in exports of activated carbon from coconut shells and doubled shell production for charcoal by 2022, while credit guarantees for small processors aimed to strengthen the value chain.

A 2023 survey mapped 94,000 hectares of coconut plantations, highlighting the resource base for future growth. Industry efforts remained focused on replacing aging trees, establishing local processing plants, and promoting sustainable practices, as underscored by KIK's hosting of the 2024 World Coconut Day event to foster innovation and market access.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Papua New Guinea

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Papua New Guinea ranked seventh globally in production volume of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews.

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

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

In 2020, Papua New Guinea produced 1 186 thousand metric tons of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews. This marked a dramatic 33.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 33.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 12.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, but it was negligible at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from Papua New Guinea

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Papua New Guinea's cross-border shipments of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews reached 9 717 metric tons. This represented a sharp increase of 167.6% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, the Philippines effectively monopolized Papua New Guinea's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in kind, accounting for 91.4% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Papua New Guinea exported coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews worth 3 925 thousand US dollars. This amounted to a gain of 49.8% from a year earlier.

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

From 2017 to 2020, 92.3% of Papua New Guinea's total exports in value terms of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews were directed to the Philippines, making this market overwhelmingly dominant.

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

World map of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in value, 2017-2020

Imports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to Papua New Guinea

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The highest volume was recorded in 2017, while the lowest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 50 times. In 2020, Papua New Guinea's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews registered 113 metric tons, down by 50.2% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 18 metric tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 98.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 1 189.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam (62.7% of imports in kind), Australia (16.4% of imports in kind), and Malaysia (8.7% of imports in kind) were the principal sources for Papua New Guinea's imports in kind, jointly accounting for 87.8% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. There was a 206-fold variation between the maximum in 2017 and the minimum in 2018. In 2020, Papua New Guinea's import volume of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews totalled 218 thousand US dollars, down by 45.1% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 33 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 99.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 1 114.1%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Papua New Guinea's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in value terms were largely oriented towards Vietnam, whose share reached 90.1% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Papua New Guinea in value, 2017-2020