In-shell cashew nuts market in Mozambique

Earlier Report Observations

Production of fresh or dried in-shell cashew nuts in Mozambique grew steadily from 130 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 157.5 thousand tonnes in 2023. Over the same period, exports surged from 9.4 thousand tonnes to 73.9 thousand tonnes, while the domestic market volume contracted from 120.6 thousand tonnes to 83.6 thousand tonnes.

The production increase in recent years was supported by regulatory reforms, including the approval of the new Cashew Law in July 2023 which set a reference price for producers at 35 meticais per kilogram. This guaranteed income stability and encouraged output. Simultaneously, a memorandum of understanding with China opened a new export channel, contributing to the sharp rise in foreign shipments.

In 2024, a further increase of the reference price to 45 meticais per kilogram and the inauguration of the first cashew processing factory in Palma, Cabo Delgado province, with a capacity of 1 500 tonnes per year, strengthened local processing capabilities, supporting exports which reached 88.5 thousand tonnes.

Production in-shell cashew nuts in Mozambique

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Mozambique ranked as the 8th largest producer of in-shell cashew nuts between 2017 and 2020.

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

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

Mozambique's production of in-shell cashew nuts grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 143.0 thousand tons, showing a modest year-on-year increase of 2.1%. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 2.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest production level occurred in 2018 at 130.0 thousand tons, marking the largest decline of 6.5% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase of 7.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Mozambique's production value of in-shell cashew nuts fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 168.1 million US dollars, reflecting a slight decrease of 2.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value dropped by 21.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.8%.

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

Exports in-shell cashew nuts from Mozambique

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes fluctuated significantly, with a fourfold difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Mozambique exported 38 069 tons of in-shell cashew nuts, a sharp increase of 54.3% from the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 441 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 53.6%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 161.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical distribution of exports in volume was largely shaped by India and Vietnam, which together accounted for 99.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export values reached their highest point in 2020 and fell to the lowest level in 2018, with a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, Mozambique exported 44 744 thousand US dollars worth of in-shell cashew nuts, a strong increase of 47.9% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 14 822 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 52.7%. The largest increase happened in 2019, with a rise of 104.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India and Vietnam were the two main destinations for Mozambique's in-shell cashew nut exports in value terms. India accounted for 55.7% of total flows, while Vietnam made up 43.5%, together representing 99.1% of the total.

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

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

Imports in-shell cashew nuts to Mozambique

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports varied by a factor of 40, from a high in 2019 to a low in 2017. In 2020, Mozambique imported 0.1 tons of in-shell cashew nuts, a reduction of 70.5% compared to the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates clearly dominated Mozambique's imports in volume, with a combined share of 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance displayed significant fluctuations over the period. Import values varied 18 times, from the high in 2019 to the low in 2017. In 2020, Mozambique imported 0.5 thousand US dollars worth of in-shell cashew nuts, down by 62.0% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates were the dominant suppliers of in-shell cashew nuts to Mozambique in value terms, jointly accounting for 100.0% of total imports.

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

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