Treenuts market in India

Earlier Report Observations

The Indian tree nuts market opened the period with a volume of 2.1 million tons in 2018, valued at $7.9 billion. A severe drought in Karnataka that year significantly reduced arecanut production, leading to price spikes and market instability. By 2020, the market volume held steady around 2.1 million tons, but its value declined to $5.9 billion as prices normalized following the drought's impact.

A notable surge occurred in 2022, with market volume climbing to 2.7 million tons, propelled by a sharp increase in imports to 1.8 million tons. This expansion aligned with the growth of online grocery retail and a government policy permitting 100% foreign direct investment in food retail, which broadened distribution channels for nuts. The following year saw a correction, with volume receding to 2.5 million tons and value dropping to $5.4 billion.

Moving into 2024, the market context was shaped by continued climatic challenges, including heatwaves and water scarcity that disrupted irrigation for coconut plantations. Concurrently, consumer preferences shifted towards healthy, ready-to-drink options like coconut water and ethically sourced tree nuts, trends supported by modern retail policies and expanding online sales access.

Production treenuts in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

India was one of the world's leading producers of treenuts from 2017 to 2020, ranking fourth globally by production volume.

Top producers of treenuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of treenuts, 2017-2020

India's treenuts production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 000 K t of treenuts, marking a modest decrease of 5.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.8%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 130 K t, with the largest year-on-year increase of 8.8% that same year. In contrast, the most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production decreased by 6.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

India's treenuts production value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 3 991 M $ US, down by 16.9% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 33.9%, equating to an annualized rate of decline of 12.9%.

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

Exports treenuts from India

Exports in kind, K t

India's treenuts export volumes declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 126 K t, reflecting a substantial reduction of 13.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 32.1%, with an annualized decline rate of 12.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India exported treenuts to a wide range of markets. The top three destinations—the United Arab Emirates (25.4% of exports in kind), Vietnam (9.7%), and Saudi Arabia (6.2%)—collectively accounted for 41.3% of total exports in kind. The remaining 58.7% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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 treenuts export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 504 M $ US, showing a significant decrease of 24.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value dropped by 53.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -22.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, India's treenuts exports in value terms were spread across many different markets. Even the largest destinations—the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and the Netherlands—together represented only 41.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports treenuts to India

Imports in kind, K t

India's treenuts imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 181 K t, equivalent to an uptick of 8.1% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 29.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that India's treenuts imports in kind were not heavily concentrated on a few key sources. The top three suppliers—the United States (15.0% of imports in kind), Côte d'Ivoire (13.0%), and Benin (12.4%)—jointly accounted for only 40.4% of total import volumes.

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

In 2020, India's treenuts imports were valued at 2 376 M $ US, representing a controlled gain of 4.3% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 7%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 279 M $ US, with the largest year-on-year drop of 20.0% that same year. In contrast, the highest value occurred in 2018 at 2 849 M $ US, which saw the biggest increase of 11.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, India's treenuts imports in value terms were distributed across a large number of markets. The top three sources—the United States (30.1% of imports in value terms), Côte d'Ivoire (9.0%), and Benin (8.0%)—together accounted for only 47.1% of total import value.

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

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