In-shell walnuts market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

African in-shell cashew market volume expanded from 175.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 219.9 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was primarily fueled by rising global demand for nuts, linked to health and vegan trends, which boosted imports into the region. Simultaneously, several West African governments, led by Côte d'Ivoire, implemented support programs and reforms to increase domestic cashew production.

A notable surge occurred in 2021 when market volume jumped by 15.6 thousand tons to 202.0 thousand tons. This acceleration coincided with Côte d'Ivoire becoming the world's leading cashew producer, aided by government initiatives to improve farm infrastructure and facilitate processing unit installations. Another significant increase followed in 2023, with volume rising by 16.5 thousand tons to 219.9 thousand tons, supported by record West African production and policies in countries like Benin and Côte d'Ivoire that restricted raw nut exports to encourage local processing.

Throughout the period, the market structure evolved as local processing capacity grew, attracting major agro-industrial players and international investment. The entry of new processors and the launch of large facilities, such as agro-industrial zones in Côte d'Ivoire, added to domestic supply. However, challenges such as raw nut smuggling and regulatory disparities between countries persisted, affecting supply chains. The overall upward trajectory was sustained by consistent international demand for African cashews, which are increasingly valued for their quality and sustainability.

Production in-shell walnuts in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of in-shell walnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of in-shell walnuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, Africa produced 163.6 thousand tonnes of in-shell walnuts, marking a 1.3% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 1.0%, while the largest rise was recorded in 2018 at 13.8%.

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

Exports in-shell walnuts from Africa

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 91 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 1,224 tonnes, representing a 13.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Africa's in-shell walnut exports surged by 251.0% compared to the previous year. The most substantial decrease was in 2018, down by 79.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, up by 285.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Portugal, and Lebanon emerged as the primary markets for in-shell walnut exports by volume. Turkey accounted for 38.1% of exports, Portugal for 11.2%, and Lebanon for 8.3%, together making up 57.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports hit a low in 2018 at 307 thousand US dollars and a high in 2017, with a 4.8-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Africa's in-shell walnut exports reached 829 thousand US dollars, up by 16.0% from the previous year. The most significant decline was in 2018, down by 79.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019, up by 132.6%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Portugal, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates were the leading destinations for in-shell walnut exports by value. Portugal represented 27.1% of exports, Turkey 22.5%, and the UAE 16.5%, collectively accounting for 66.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports in-shell walnuts to Africa

Imports in kind, t

Africa's in-shell walnut imports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume amounted to 23,997 tonnes, showing a robust growth of 20.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 253%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 52.3%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the United States, Chile, and China were the dominant sources for in-shell walnut imports by volume, together capturing 88.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Africa's in-shell walnut imports from abroad have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, import value totaled 65,678 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant increase of 23.9% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 195.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 43.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Chile, and China consistently served as the main sources for in-shell walnut imports by value. The United States accounted for 41.9% of imports, Chile for 33.6%, and China for 13.5%, together representing 89.0% of total import flows.

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

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