In-shell cashew nuts market in India

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for in-shell cashew nuts in India began the period at 1 675 thousand tonnes in 2018, then declined over the subsequent two years to 1 562 thousand tonnes in 2020. This contraction aligned with the widespread supply chain and logistical disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which hampered transportation and processing activities within the country.

A strong recovery and expansion followed, with the market surging to a peak of 2 120 thousand tonnes in 2022. This growth was primarily driven by a shift in consumer behavior, as rising health consciousness increased demand for nutritious snacks like cashews. The heightened consumption necessitated a sharp rise in imports of raw nuts to meet domestic requirements.

In 2023, the market volume adjusted to 1 943 thousand tonnes, though it remained substantially higher than pre-2022 levels. Underlying demand was supported by persistent health and wellness trends, which continued to boost domestic consumption of cashews and related value-added products.

Production in-shell cashew nuts in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, India maintained its position as the world's leading producer of in-shell cashew nuts by volume.

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

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

India's production of in-shell cashew nuts declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 703.0 K t, which was 5.4% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 5.6%, with an average annual decrease of 1.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 817.0 K t, marking a 9.7% increase from the previous year. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 9.1% decline.

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

Exports in-shell cashew nuts from India

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, India's exports of in-shell cashew nuts decreased. In 2020, exports totaled 15.3 K t, down 5.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 72.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 19.9%. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 16.2 K t, following a significant 42.7% increase in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India's export pattern for in-shell cashew nuts showed a heavy reliance on Vietnam, which accounted for 98.6% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

India's exports of in-shell cashew nuts in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 20 M $ US, a slight decrease of 1.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 24.1%, with an average annual rate of 7.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 23 M $ US, reflecting a 42.1% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 11.5% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India's export structure in value terms was highly concentrated, with Vietnam alone making up 97.9% of total exports.

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

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

Imports in-shell cashew nuts to India

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, India's imports of in-shell cashew nuts reached 874.1 K t, a modest increase of 2.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 24.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.6%. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 2.4% decrease, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018, with a 24.2% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, India's imports of in-shell cashew nuts in volume terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Côte d'Ivoire (16.7% of imports), Benin (16.1%), and Tanzania (11.8%) together accounted for only 44.6% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

India's imports of in-shell cashew nuts in value terms fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 1 087 M $ US, down 1.0% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 25.1%, with an average annual decline of 9.2%. The highest import value was in 2018 at 1 708 M $ US, which saw a 17.7% increase from the previous year. The largest drop was in 2019, with a 35.8% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India's import structure in value terms remained highly diversified. Côte d'Ivoire (16.7% of imports), Benin (15.0%), and Tanzania (14.3%) combined for only 46.0% of total imports, with the remaining 54.0% coming from a wide range of smaller markets.

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

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