Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, production of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Sub-Saharan Africa increased from 4 181 to 4 959 thousand tons. This expansion was primarily driven by the adoption of higher-yielding and climate-resilient cultivars, such as BRS 805, and the implementation of sustainable farming projects in West Africa focused on fair trade and agroecological methods.

Exports grew from 1 798 to 2 746 thousand tons over the period, sustained by strong Asian demand for industrial processing of cashews, a key factor in the global value chain. The COVID-19 pandemic caused temporary supply chain disruptions in 2020, but production and trade flows quickly recovered, supporting overall output growth.

The domestic market volume for local consumption consequently fluctuated, decreasing from 2 396 to 2 227 thousand tons by 2023 as a greater portion of production was exported. Concurrently, rising global demand for plant-based alternatives, exemplified by innovations like the Brazilian startup Cajú Love using cashew by-products, stimulated further interest and investment in the sector.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Sub-Saharan Africa

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 2019, Sub-Saharan Africa's production of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews reached its lowest point at 3 969 K t, marking a 5.1% decline from the previous year. Production then rebounded in 2020 to 4 104 K t, representing a moderate 3.4% increase compared to 2019. The peak production level was recorded earlier in 2018 at 4 181 K t.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Sub-Saharan Africa's production value for coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews showed recovery in 2020. The output was valued at 4 859 M $ US, reflecting a 5.0% increase from 2019. The lowest value during the 2017-2020 period occurred in 2019 at 4 627 M $ US, which represented a significant 19.9% drop. Overall, production value decreased by 25.4% across the four-year period, equivalent to an annual decline rate of 9.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa exported 1 868 K t of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, showing a moderate 6.4% year-over-year increase. The largest decline during the period occurred in 2019 with a 2.4% decrease. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 9.1% overall, translating to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and India maintained their positions as the leading export markets in volume terms, collectively accounting for 85.3% of total flows. Other trading partners played supplementary roles in the export structure.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, Sub-Saharan Africa's export value for coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews increased in 2020. Exports reached 2 212 M $ US, representing an 8.1% rise from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 046 M $ US, which marked a substantial 17.6% decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 18.3% overall, equivalent to an annual decline rate of 6.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Vietnam and India remained the primary destinations for exports in value terms, jointly capturing 87.4% of total flows. Other partners accounted for significantly smaller individual shares of the export market.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. The lowest point was recorded in 2017, while imports peaked in 2020 at 25 K t, representing a 116.2% increase from the previous year. The difference between these years was 2.2-fold. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 12.9% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the import structure for coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews remained highly diversified. The Philippines (8.1%), Vietnam (7.6%), and Indonesia (4.5%) together accounted for only 20.2% of total import volumes. The remaining 79.8% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews stood at 51 M $ US, showing a sharp 46.3% increase compared to 2019. The minimum value during the period was recorded in 2019 at 35 M $ US, which represented an 18.4% decline. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 20.2% overall, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 6.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, import values for coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews were relatively evenly distributed across multiple sources. Vietnam (24.5%), Indonesia (8.0%), and India (6.9%) together accounted for only 39.4% of total import value, with the remainder spread across numerous other markets.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020