Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the market volume for coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Brazil showed relative stability, hovering around 3 000 thousand tons. Institutional support from Embrapa, through policies promoting on-farm nut classification, producer organization, and micro-credit, aimed at improving the profitability of the cashew chain. This foundation was accompanied by the development of small-scale artisanal cashew processing plants in 2020, which helped boost domestic supply and contributed to the market's growth that year. Slight fluctuations in trade, including the start of export operations by new players like Castanhas Ouro Verde in 2021, influenced the balance between imports and exports, leading to minor adjustments in total market size.

A significant expansion began in 2022, with the market volume jumping to 3 375 thousand tons. This surge was primarily driven by a reported 33% increase in national cashew nut production, fueled by favorable weather conditions, the adoption of early dwarf cashew tree technology, and cultivation expansion in the Northeast region. The federal government's authorization to export cashews to Turkey in the same year opened a major new outlet, altering export dynamics. Growth continued into 2023, reaching 3 483 thousand tons, supported by the launch of new ready-to-drink (RTD) alcoholic beverages based on cashew apple pulp, which created a novel consumption segment and stimulated domestic demand.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in South America

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

South America produced 3 070 K t of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in 2020, representing a modest 3.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 8.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.9%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 5.9%.

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

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from South America

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, South America exported 69 140 t of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, marking a substantial 19.7% improvement from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 43.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 12.8%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 12.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 36.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for South America's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews was quite broad. The Dominican Republic (18.0% of exports), the United States (17.0% of exports), and the Netherlands (10.0% of exports) together accounted for only 45.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

South America's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 282.4 M $ US, which is 17.3% weaker than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 21.2%, with an annualized decline rate of 7.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 472.7 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 27.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 32.0%.

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

The partner structure for South America's exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 remained fragmented. The United States (24.4% of exports), the Netherlands (13.6% of exports), and South Korea (10.1% of exports) together accounted for only 48.1% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Imports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to South America

Imports in kind, t

South America's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in volume terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports registered 30 118 t, representing a 15.1% loss compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 42.7%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 17.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia (30.0% of imports), the Philippines (20.2% of imports), and Côte d'Ivoire (18.2% of imports) consistently held leading positions in South America's import structure for coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, jointly accounting for 68.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

South America's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 282.4 M $ US, down by 3.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 50.1%, with an annualized decline rate of 20.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia (23.2% of imports), the Philippines (21.0% of imports), and Côte d'Ivoire (14.9% of imports) consistently remained the main sources for South America's imports in value terms, together accounting for 59.2% of total flows.

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

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