Treenuts market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Kenyan treenuts market volume remained relatively stable, hovering around 31 000 t annually despite minor fluctuations in domestic production. This period saw no dramatic shifts in overall availability for the local market.

A turning point occurred in 2021 when the market volume contracted sharply to 23 535 t, a 26% drop from the previous year, primarily driven by a surge in exports which reached 10 175 t. During this year, efforts to revitalize cashew nut farming were introduced, including new polyclonal seedling varieties and training programs for farmers on climate-resilient agroforestry practices aimed at improving long-term yields. By 2023, the market volume had further declined to 18 794 t as exports continued their upward trend, reaching 15 610 t, while domestic production stabilized around 33 000 t.

Looking at 2024, the Kenyan government reinforced its commitment to spur cashew nut farming, announcing plans to establish new processing factories and Export Processing Zones in coastal counties alongside a large-scale seedling distribution program targeting one million trees. These initiatives aimed at enhancing value addition and market access coincided with a continued export-oriented trend, where exports jumped to 24 148 t and imports rose to 2 539 t, underscoring the focus on external markets and supply chain development.

Production treenuts in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of treenuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of treenuts, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, treenuts production in Kenya increased. In 2020, Kenya produced 37 595 tonnes of treenuts, marking a 2.6% year-over-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 13.3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 4.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 36 659 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 12.7% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports treenuts from Kenya

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year contraction, treenuts exports from Kenya increased. In 2020, Kenya exported 6 485 tonnes of treenuts, representing a 16.9% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 18.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 6.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 547 tonnes, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 16.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Kenya's treenuts exports in kind were the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands. Together, these countries accounted for 76.4% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Exported treenuts volumes from Kenya declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Kenya exported treenuts worth 64 202 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant decline of 13.2% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 20.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 88 723 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 16.6% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 10.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands were the primary buyers of treenuts from Kenya in value terms. The United States accounted for 59.0% of exports, Germany for 13.3%, and the Netherlands for 9.2%. Together, these three markets represented 81.5% of total export value during this period.

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

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

Imports treenuts to Kenya

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Kenya's cross-border shipments of treenuts amounted to 602 tonnes, indicating a steep rise of 90.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 18.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, imports of treenuts to Kenya in kind were distributed across numerous markets. Tanzania accounted for 15.3% of imports, the United States for 13.8%, and Mozambique for 10.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 39.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The volume of treenuts imports to Kenya increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 861 thousand US dollars, indicating a gain of 34.3% over the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 183.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 41.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the United States, India, and Tanzania formed the core group of markets for Kenya's treenuts imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 27.2% of imports, India for 16.9%, and Tanzania for 14.6%. Together, these three countries represented 58.7% of total import flows.

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

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