Market research

In-shell cashew nuts market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Sub-Saharan Africa" region includes following countries:

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

Production of in-shell cashew nuts in Sub-Saharan Africa rose from over 2 million tonnes in 2018 to nearly 2.7 million tonnes in 2023. This expansion was driven by increased land allocation for cultivation, renewed private investment in breeding technology, and government strategies that distributed improved seedlings and aimed to create guaranteed markets for farmers.

The domestic market size for in-shell cashew nuts fluctuated, reaching a peak of 432 000 tonnes in 2022 before declining to 197 000 tonnes in 2023. This drop coincided with cashew nuts becoming the most traded agricultural product in Nigeria, as exports of raw nuts to destinations like Vietnam and India increased substantially, while efforts to boost local processing capacity faced challenges from the prevailing export of unprocessed nuts.

The industry's recognition of cashew as a strategic non-oil export commodity spurred focus on value addition, including the use of cashew nut shell liquid for industrial applications and the development of products from the cashew apple, although the majority of production continued to be exported raw.

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 Sub-Saharan Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa 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, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde 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, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde 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, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde 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, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ 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 Sub-Saharan Africa

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 2019, Sub-Saharan Africa's production of in-shell cashew nuts reached its lowest point at 1 829 K t, following a 9.1% decline that year. Production then rebounded in 2020 to 2 002 K t, representing a 9.4% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 7.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%. The peak production occurred in 2018 at 2 012 K t.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.9%	(9.1%)	9.4%	2.4%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, in-shell cashew nuts production in Sub-Saharan Africa showed a recovery. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 297 M $ US, marking a robust 13.1% increase compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 20%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 031 M $ US, following a significant 24.0% drop that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(6.9%)	(24.0%)	13.1%	(7.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in-shell cashew nuts from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

In 2019, Sub-Saharan Africa's exports of in-shell cashew nuts hit a low of 1 627 K t, after a 6.4% decline. Exports then rose to 1 752 K t in 2020, showing a moderate 7.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 7.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.3%	(6.4%)	7.7%	2.3%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and India were the two leading markets for Sub-Saharan Africa's in-shell cashew nut exports, together accounting for 88.9% of total exports in volume. The remaining volume was distributed among a wide range of other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, cross-border shipments of in-shell cashew nuts from Sub-Saharan Africa increased. In 2020, exports totaled 2 010 M $ US, equivalent to a strong 11.3% rise compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 20.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 806 M $ US, after a 21.8% decline that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(8.3%)	(21.8%)	11.3%	(7.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and India remained the key partner countries for Sub-Saharan Africa's in-shell cashew nut exports in value terms, with a combined share of 92.2% of total flows. Other partners accounted for the remainder.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in-shell cashew nuts to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The data reveals noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Imports reached their lowest level in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 45-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa's in-shell cashew nuts imports came to 4 K t, constituting a dramatic increase of 2 421.5% compared with 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 36.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	177.2%	(36.3%)	2 421.5%	254.5%

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Imports bottomed in 2019 and peaked in 2020, differing by 24 times. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa's in-shell cashew nuts import volume totaled 19 M $ US, marking an abrupt improvement of 2 280.7% from a year earlier. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 M $ US, following a 59.6% decline that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(36.6%)	(59.6%)	2 280.7%	82.7%

Source: SHEV.io

In 2017 to 2020, Vietnam (1.2% of imports in value terms), India (1.0% of imports in value terms), and Spain (0.7% of imports in value terms) were the principal suppliers of in-shell cashew nuts to Sub-Saharan Africa, jointly accounting for 2.9% of total imports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io