In-shell cashew nuts market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the in-shell cashew nut market in Central America expanded, with production rising from 6 432 t to 7 262 t. This growth was followed by a slight contraction to 6 997 t in 2021. No specific driving factors for these initial movements were highlighted in the available sources for those years.

A sharp decline to 4 206 t occurred in 2022. This drop coincided with reported structural challenges in the sector, including limitations in agricultural techniques and plantation renewal among organic cashew producers in El Salvador, which constrained output. Furthermore, common pests like Selenothrips sp. were noted as a threat to crop yields if not managed properly, likely contributing to the production decrease. The market volume then stabilized around 4 190 t in 2023.

Simultaneously, a shift in consumer preferences emerged, with local producers in Costa Rica launching value-added products like roasted and caramelized cashew nuts. This trend toward processed snacks reflects diversification within the market, though it did not reverse the overall decline in raw nut production volume during the period.

Production in-shell cashew nuts in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

Central America's in-shell cashew nut production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 7 262 tonnes, showing a modest year-over-year increase of 10.0%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 12.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 6 432 tonnes, with the largest decline that year being negligible at 0.0%.

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

Exports in-shell cashew nuts from Central America

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. There was a 92-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Central America exported 2.4 tonnes of in-shell cashew nuts, a significant drop of 61.1% compared to 2019. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1.4 tonnes, with the largest decline that year reaching 98.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a surge of 332.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India and the United States consistently held the top positions in the export structure by volume, together accounting for 58.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values varied 25 times from the high in 2017 to the low in 2018. In 2020, Central America exported 14.3 thousand US dollars worth of in-shell cashew nuts, reflecting a sharp reduction of 63.7% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 9.4 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 96.1%. The largest increase was in 2019, with a jump of 321.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, the United States, and Chile were the main destinations for Central America's in-shell cashew nut exports by value. India accounted for 65.5% of exports, the United States for 12.3%, and Chile for 1.3%, together making up 79.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in-shell cashew nuts to Central America

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Import volumes fluctuated 6.4 times between the high in 2019 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Central America imported approximately 2.2 tonnes of in-shell cashew nuts, marking a sharp drop of 67.6% compared to 2019. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1.0 tonne, while the maximum was in 2019 at 6.7 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 541.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea and the United States were the two main destinations for imports by volume. South Korea accounted for 2.5% of total flows, and the United States for 0.8%, together comprising 3.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. A 5.3-fold variation occurred between the maximum in 2019 and the minimum in 2018. In 2020, Central America's in-shell cashew nut imports amounted to 10.5 thousand US dollars, down by 63.5% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 5.4 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 28.7 thousand US dollars. The largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 428.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea, the United States, and Lebanon accounted for the largest share of imports by value. South Korea made up 10.9% of imports, the United States 4.8%, and Lebanon 0.6%, together comprising 16.4% of total flows.

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

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