In-shell cashew nuts market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

African in-shell cashew nut production reached 2 012 thousand tonnes in 2018, supported by government initiatives across the continent to increase local processing capacity, which raised demand for raw nuts, and by growing global consumption due to health benefits and plant-based diets. Output declined to 1 829 thousand tonnes in 2019, even as efforts to improve processing infrastructure continued, and the domestic market volume shrank to 204 thousand tonnes. Production recovered to 2 002 thousand tonnes in 2020, with the market expanding to 255 thousand tonnes, despite reported challenges for farmers such as limited capital and infrastructure that constrained raw nut purchases.

From 2021 to 2023, production rose steadily, reaching 2 660 thousand tonnes in 2023. The domestic market volume followed an upward trend, peaking at 434 thousand tonnes in 2022, before declining to 201 thousand tonnes in 2023.

In 2024, the market environment was influenced by sustained global demand for cashews, fueled by health trends, while African producers continued to face obstacles like competition from foreign processors and insufficient local processing infrastructure.

Production in-shell cashew nuts in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of in-shell cashew nuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of in-shell cashew nuts, 2017-2020

In 2019, Africa's production of in-shell cashew nuts reached its lowest point at 1 829 K t, marking a 9.1% decline from the previous year. Production then rebounded in 2020 to 2 002 K t, showing a modest 9.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production grew by 7.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 012 K t.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of decline, Africa's production of in-shell cashew nuts showed signs of recovery. In 2019, production value hit its lowest point at 2 031 M $ US, representing a significant 24.0% drop. However, in 2020, production value rebounded to 2 298 M $ US, marking a 13.1% increase from the previous year. Despite this recent improvement, production value decreased by 19.9% overall between 2017 and 2020, equivalent to an average annual decline of 7.1%.

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

Exports in-shell cashew nuts from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

In 2019, Africa's exports of in-shell cashew nuts reached their lowest volume at 1 626 K t, reflecting a 6.4% decrease. The following year saw a recovery, with exports rising to 1 751 K t in 2020, representing a 7.7% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 7.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam and India dominated Africa's exports of in-shell cashew nuts by volume. Vietnam accounted for 53.4% of total exports, while India represented 35.5%. Together, these two markets constituted 88.9% of Africa's total exports by volume, with other partners making up the remaining share.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After experiencing declines for two consecutive years, Africa's exports of in-shell cashew nuts showed improvement in 2020. In 2019, export value reached its lowest point at 1 806 M $ US, marking a substantial 21.8% decrease. However, in 2020, export value rebounded to 2 010 M $ US, representing an 11.3% increase from the previous year. Despite this recent growth, export value decreased by 20.1% overall between 2017 and 2020, with an average annual decline of 7.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and India remained Africa's primary export markets for in-shell cashew nuts by value. Together, these two countries accounted for 92.2% of Africa's total export value, with other countries comprising the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in-shell cashew nuts to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Africa's imports of in-shell cashew nuts showed significant volatility between 2017 and 2020. In 2017, imports reached their lowest point at just 0.2 K t. By contrast, 2020 saw imports peak at 4 K t, representing an extraordinary 1 098.6% increase from 2019. This created a 25-fold difference between the lowest and highest import volumes during this period. In 2019, imports declined by 7.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam served as Africa's main supplier of in-shell cashew nuts by volume, accounting for 1.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Africa's imports of in-shell cashew nuts by value exhibited notable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. In 2019, import value reached its lowest point at 2 M $ US, marking a 40.0% decline. The following year saw a dramatic reversal, with import value surging to 20 M $ US in 2020 - representing a 974.5% increase from 2019. This created a 10.7-fold difference between the lowest and highest import values during this period.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam, Syria, and India played leading roles in Africa's imports of in-shell cashew nuts by value. Vietnam accounted for 3.6% of total import value, Syria represented 3.1%, and India contributed 0.8%. Together, these three countries constituted 7.6% of Africa's total import value during this period.

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

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