Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

The Tanzanian market for coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews opened at 838.8 thousand tons in 2018. A dramatic drop to 432.3 thousand tons occurred in 2019 when exports jumped to 296.9 thousand tons, fueled by Vietnam becoming the leading importer and the structured auction system run by government institutions. The market shrank further to 369.3 thousand tons in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic reduced production and intensified competition, although Tanzanian cashews continued to command premium prices.

Recovery began in 2021 with the market reaching 514.4 thousand tons. It dipped slightly to 486.7 thousand tons in 2022 during the rollout of the Cashew Nut Industry Strategy, which set targets to boost local processing and diversify markets, while farmer hesitance to sell at low prices affected transactions. Growth resumed in 2023, lifting the market to 593.1 thousand tons. For 2024, exports hit 433.2 thousand tons, and the season saw record sales, government subsidies for agricultural inputs, removal of regulatory barriers, and new supply contracts with the EU, all pointing to an expansion of production and value addition.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Tanzania ranked as the 12th largest global producer of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, establishing itself among the world's leading producers of these commodities.

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

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

Tanzania's production of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 691.7 K t, marking a modest decrease of 5.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 23.8%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 8.6%.

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

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from Tanzania

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for these products showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.1 K t and peaked in 2017, with a 3 662-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tanzania's cross-border shipments of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews totaled 322.4 K t, reflecting a moderate increase of 8.6% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 100.0%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 at 328 748.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and India were the dominant markets for Tanzania's exports in kind, together accounting for 98.7% of the total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The export market in value terms displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest exports were recorded in 2018 at 0.2 M $ US, while the highest were in 2017, with a 2 204-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Tanzania exported 367.8 M $ US worth of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, corresponding to a slight increase of 1.9% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 100.0%, and the most significant increase was in 2019 at 146 865.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Vietnam and India remained the primary destinations for Tanzania's exports in value terms, jointly representing 97.1% of total flows, with other partners contributing significantly smaller shares.

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

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

Imports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to Tanzania

Imports in kind, K t

The import data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 0.0 K t and peaked in 2017, with a 3.9-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Tanzania's imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews totaled 0.0 K t, marking a steep drop of 74.0% from 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 82.1%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates together captured 86.6% of Tanzania's total imports in kind, with the remaining flows distributed thinly across other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Tanzania's imports of foreign coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 0.0 M $ US, amounting to an abrupt decline of 49.0% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 67.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -31.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 18.0%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the United Arab Emirates (44.3% of imports in value terms), Malaysia (34.4% of imports in value terms), and Thailand (7.6% of imports in value terms) formed the core group of markets for Tanzania's imports in value terms, together representing 86.2% of total flows.

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

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