Market research

In-shell cashew nuts market in MERCOSUR

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"MERCOSUR" region includes following countries:

Brazil

Argentina

Uruguay

Paraguay

Earlier Report Observations

The in-shell cashew nuts market in MERCOSUR ranged between 139 and 148 thousand tons from 2018 to 2020. The harmonization of food labeling rules across the bloc provided regulatory consistency, while the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted regional logistics, reducing nut availability and contributing to a market contraction to 138.9 thousand tons.

Market volume dropped sharply to 110.6 thousand tons in 2021, partly due to lingering uncertainty surrounding the ratification of the MERCOSUR-EU trade agreement, which held back industry investments. A turnaround came in 2022 when the entry of new retail players, such as Mercadona with its unsalted cashew lines, boosted demand and helped lift the market to 161.9 thousand tons.

By 2023, the market adjusted to 127.9 thousand tons. During this period, Brazil enacted the "Cashew Law," setting reference prices and support measures for producers, affecting the value chain structure. Meanwhile, newly approved MERCOSUR origin rules—raising the allowable foreign content from 40% to 45% effective July 2024—began shaping procurement and production decisions. In 2024, stricter sanitary certification requirements for cashew imports into Brazil further influenced regional supply conditions.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in MERCOSUR
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in MERCOSUR in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Brazil, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Brazil, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Brazil, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Brazil, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production in-shell cashew nuts in MERCOSUR

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

In-shell cashew nut production in MERCOSUR remained broadly stable in 2020 at 139.3 thousand tonnes, showing little change from the previous year. Looking back to 2019, production had experienced a 2.0% decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 4.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 141.4 thousand tonnes, which represented a 5.8% increase from the previous year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5.8%	(2.0%)	0.5%	1.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in-shell cashew nuts from MERCOSUR

Exports in kind, t

In-shell cashew nut exports from MERCOSUR increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 445 tonnes, marking a dramatic 11,639.1% surge compared to 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, exports grew by 49,376.8%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 690.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	321.5%	11 639.1%	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China was the dominant destination for in-shell cashew nut exports from MERCOSUR, absorbing 98.6% of total export volumes.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of in-shell cashew nut exports from MERCOSUR rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, export value stood at 297 thousand US dollars, representing an 812.4% increase over 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, export value grew by 2,203.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 184.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	152.4%	812.4%	-

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, China remained the central partner for MERCOSUR's in-shell cashew nut exports in value terms, accounting for 83.7% of total export flows. Other markets played a relatively minor role.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in-shell cashew nuts to MERCOSUR

Imports in kind, t

In-shell cashew nut imports to MERCOSUR declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, imports totaled 5,048 tonnes, representing a significant 22.4% decrease from 2018. Between 2017 and 2019, imports fell by 77%, with an annualized decline rate of 38.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(70.4%)	(22.4%)	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire was overwhelmingly the main source for in-shell cashew nut imports to MERCOSUR, accounting for 100.0% of total import volumes.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of in-shell cashew nut imports to MERCOSUR fell for the second year running. In 2019, import value amounted to 4,184 thousand US dollars, marking a 54.5% decline from 2018. Over the 2017-2019 period, import value decreased by 89.4%, with an average annual decline rate of 52.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(76.8%)	(54.5%)	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, Côte d'Ivoire maintained its position as the dominant and nearly exclusive source for in-shell cashew nut imports to MERCOSUR in value terms, with a 100.0% share of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io