MENA: Cashew Nut Market 2025

Cashew Nut Market Size in MENA

The MENA's cashew nut market declined markedly to $X in 2021, waning by -25.8% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, enjoyed strong growth. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Cashew Nut Production in MENA

In value terms, cashew nut production rose significantly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a tangible increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 314%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Iran (X tons), Oman (X tons) and Jordan (X tons), together accounting for 73% of total production.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Oman (with a CAGR of +4.3%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cashew Nut Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was decline in overseas shipments of cashew nuts, when their volume decreased by -2.3% to X tons. In general, exports continue to indicate a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 378% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cashew nut exports reached $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw a noticeable contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 191% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the four major exporters of cashew nuts, namely the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Israel, represented more than two-thirds of total export. It was distantly followed by Egypt (X tons), constituting a 5.9% share of total exports. The following exporters - Turkey (X tons) and Palestine (X tons) - each recorded a 3.5% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Egypt (with a CAGR of +26.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and Morocco ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 88% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Saudi Arabia, with a CAGR of +24.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 15% against the previous year. Overall, the export price enjoyed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the export price increased by 254% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Egypt ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+20.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cashew Nut Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of cashew nuts, when their volume decreased by -31.1% to X tons. Total imports indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 33%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2020, and then dropped sharply in the following year.

In value terms, cashew nut imports plummeted to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, posted a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 71%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Saudi Arabia was the main importing country with an import of about X tons, which recorded 55% of total imports. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), constituting a 25% share of total imports. Algeria (X tons), Oman (X tons), Iran (X tons) and Morocco (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to cashew nut imports into Saudi Arabia stood at +3.4%. At the same time, Iran (+36.1%), Oman (+35.3%), Algeria (+29.0%), Morocco (+9.3%) and the United Arab Emirates (+8.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Iran emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MENA, with a CAGR of +36.1% from 2012-2021. The United Arab Emirates (+8.2 p.p.), Algeria (+3.5 p.p.), Oman (+2.9 p.p.) and Iran (+2.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Algeria ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 89% of total imports.

Algeria, with a CAGR of +39.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, rising by 2.9% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.8%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 37%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Iran ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Algeria (+8.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform