Treenuts market in Middle Africa, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the treenuts market in Middle Africa showed considerable volume fluctuations, peaking at 4,657 t in 2020 and dipping to 3,655 t in 2019. The initial volume of 4,502 t in 2018 was supported by recovering global demand for cashew nuts and the presence of local agri-food processors adding value to raw nuts. However, a surge in exports during 2019 significantly reduced domestic availability, contracting the market size.

The market recovered in 2020 as exports normalized. In 2021, despite a rise in imports, increased exports kept the market volume at 4,450 t, while large-scale African cashew production estimated at 2.1 million tonnes provided a steady supply base for local processors. A sharp drop in imports during 2022 lowered the market to 3,894 t. By 2023, a slight rebound to 4,066 t occurred alongside announcements of stock market listings for public companies in the CEMAC zone and growing professionalization in related fruit sectors, which could channel investments into agricultural infrastructure.

Entering 2024, new European Union regulations mandating country-of-origin labeling for certain nuts and stricter phytosanitary certificate requirements began shaping export standards. Global factors such as supply chain disruptions and raw material price fluctuations influenced the regional trade environment, while the overall nut market in Africa continued its gradual expansion, supported by health awareness campaigns and government initiatives to boost production and exports.

Production treenuts in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of treenuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of treenuts, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, treenuts production in Middle Africa experienced a decline. In 2020, the region produced 3 212 tonnes of treenuts, marking a slight contraction of 1.0% compared to 2019. Production had peaked in 2019 at 3 245 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 1.2%.

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

Exports treenuts from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market for treenuts exports from Middle Africa showed significant fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 162 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 1 174 tonnes, representing a 7.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports dropped sharply to 170 tonnes, an 85.5% decrease from the previous year. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, with a dramatic rise of 623.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export partner landscape for treenuts in kind was highly diversified. China accounted for 6.9% of exports, Portugal for 5.1%, and Nigeria for 2.6%, with these three countries together representing only 14.6% of total flows. The remaining 85.4% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, treenuts exports from Middle Africa totaled 149 thousand US dollars, a 43.8% decline from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 58.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 25.2%. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2018 at 44.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 33.1% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export partner landscape in value terms was broad. China contributed 10.4% of export value, India 9.3%, and Vietnam 4.5%, with these three countries together accounting for just 24.2% of total flows. The substantial majority, 75.8%, was directed to or from many other countries.

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

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

Imports treenuts to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, t

Middle Africa's treenuts imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 615 tonnes, a modest uptick of 2.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports overall decreased by 9.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 458 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 18.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with an 8.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria, Portugal, and Vietnam played notable but not dominant roles as suppliers of treenuts to Middle Africa in kind. Nigeria accounted for 19.3% of imports, Portugal for 12.2%, and Vietnam for 10.0%, with their combined share reaching 41.5% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign treenuts supplies to Middle Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 465 thousand US dollars, representing a steep reduction of 34.1% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 53.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -22.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Vietnam, and France formed the key group of partners for treenuts imports in value terms to Middle Africa. Portugal accounted for 40.8% of import value, Vietnam for 9.6%, and France for 7.0%, with these three countries jointly representing 57.4% of total flows.

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

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