South Africa: Cashew Nut Market 2025

Cashew Nut Market Size in South Africa

The South African cashew nut market dropped rapidly to $X in 2021, with a decrease of -40.9% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw prominent growth. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Cashew Nut Production in South Africa

In value terms, cashew nut production expanded to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 26%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Cashew Nut Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, cashew nut exports from South Africa skyrocketed to X tons, growing by 37% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 44% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cashew nut exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 109%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Botswana (X tons), Namibia (X tons) and Lesotho (X kg) were the main destinations of cashew nut exports from South Africa, together comprising 96% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Botswana (with a CAGR of -1.3%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, Botswana ($X), Namibia ($X) and Lesotho ($X) were the largest markets for cashew nut exported from South Africa worldwide, together comprising 96% of total exports.

Botswana, with a CAGR of +2.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Export Prices by Country

The average cashew nut export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, cashew nut export price decreased by -32.5% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 64%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major export markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Namibia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Lesotho ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Mozambique (+19.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cashew Nut Imports

Imports into South Africa

Cashew nut imports into South Africa contracted notably to X tons in 2021, declining by -49.9% against the year before. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 1,703% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cashew nut imports dropped to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, posted a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 11,506% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Mozambique (X tons) constituted the largest cashew nut supplier to South Africa, accounting for a 81% share of total imports. Moreover, cashew nut imports from Mozambique exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Vietnam (X tons), fourfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Mozambique totaled +22.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Vietnam (-12.3% per year) and Tanzania (-85.7% per year).

In value terms, Mozambique ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cashew nut to South Africa, comprising 77% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Vietnam ($X), with a 23% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Mozambique totaled +40.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Vietnam (-8.3% per year) and Tanzania (-90.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average cashew nut import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 74% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a notable expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the average import price increased by 544% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Vietnam ($X per ton), while the price for Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mozambique (+14.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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