SADC: Cashew Nut Market 2025

Cashew Nut Market Size in SADC

The SADC cashew nut market skyrocketed to $X in 2021, growing by 61% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a resilient increase. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Cashew Nut Production in SADC

In value terms, cashew nut production expanded slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 124% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Tanzania (X tons) remains the largest cashew nut producing country in SADC, accounting for 67% of total volume. Moreover, cashew nut production in Tanzania exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Mozambique (X tons), twofold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Tanzania amounted to +7.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mozambique (+8.4% per year) and Madagascar (+0.3% per year).

The average cashew nut yield shrank significantly to X kg per ha in 2021, waning by -21.4% compared with the year before. In general, the yield saw a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 64% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the cashew nut yield hit record highs at X kg per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, the total area harvested in terms of cashew nuts production in SADC rose markedly to X ha, picking up by 11% compared with 2020. Overall, the harvested area enjoyed a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 35%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cashew nut production reached the maximum at X ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Cashew Nut Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of cashew nuts, when their volume decreased by -69.9% to X tons. In general, exports showed a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 57% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cashew nut exports contracted remarkably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports showed a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 61%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Tanzania was the main exporting country with an export of around X tons, which resulted at 62% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Mozambique (X tons), making up a 36% share of total exports. Madagascar (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Mozambique (with a CAGR of +21.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, Tanzania ($X) remains the largest cashew nut supplier in SADC, comprising 69% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mozambique ($X), with a 29% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Tanzania amounted to -6.6%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mozambique (+26.5% per year) and Madagascar (+11.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -9.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a notable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 136%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Tanzania ($X per ton), while Mozambique ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mozambique (+4.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cashew Nut Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, overseas purchases of cashew nuts increased by 15% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, imports saw a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 397%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, cashew nut imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 841% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Tanzania (X tons) was the major importer of cashew nuts, constituting 77% of total imports. It was distantly followed by South Africa (X tons), comprising an 18% share of total imports. Botswana (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Tanzania was also the fastest-growing in terms of the cashew nuts imports, with a CAGR of +89.9% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, South Africa (+5.4%) and Botswana (+3.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Tanzania increased by +76 percentage points.

In value terms, Tanzania ($X), South Africa ($X) and Botswana ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 95% of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Tanzania, with a CAGR of +79.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, 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 SADC amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 3.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a noticeable downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 89%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Botswana (+3.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform