Cashew Kernel Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027

The cashew kernel market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.35% over the forecast period to reach a market size of US$6.698 billion in 2027, from US$4.972 billion in 2020. The USA (152,591 tonnes), Germany (47,646 tonnes), the Netherlands (45,889 tonnes), the United Arab Emirates (21,482 tons), and the United Kingdom (20,917 tons) were among the top importing countries in the world based on the import quantity of shelled cashew nuts imported as of 2018. However, these figures are relatively lower than what was registered against each of the importing nations in 2017 mentioned above. For example, the USA registered an import of 153,448 tonnes and Germany registered an import of 53,922 tonnes [Source: USDA]. According to the Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit, which is the Dutch Ministry responsible for agricultural policy, animal welfare, fisheries, food policy, food safety, forestry, and natural conservation, prices of cashew nuts collapsed in 2018, resulting in a decrease in import value. Imports of cashew nuts reportedly reached a zenith during 2017, but with supply outperforming demand to a certain extent and sales from 2017, stock being enough to meet demand in the first half of 2018 collectively led to the drop in import value. Nevertheless, in Europe, Germany is the largest European importer and market for cashew nuts. The Netherlands is also the leading European re-exporter with cashew nuts, among others, being the top re-exported product. In Italy, the production of pesto requires the consumption of pine nuts to be substituted by comparatively cheaper alternatives and cashew nuts are one of them. In view of the above, and based on the increasing consumer inclination to consume healthy food, the European cashew kernel market is expected to be driven by robust growth. Moreover, the use of cashew nuts as snacks, in breakfast cereals, and for the production of various functional foods is expected to further bolster the cashew kernel market.

Several government policies and international initiatives are expected to drive the cashew kernel market around the world during the forecast period. For example, consider the policies outlined by West African nations, such as Côte d'Ivoire's elaborate cashew sector intervention policies. That is, in 2015, the country reportedly introduced an export tax of FCFA 30 per kg of raw cashew nuts (RCN), and since 2016, the industries engaged in local processing have been supported by subsidies derived from the funds from this tax, at the rate of FCFA 400 per kg of exported raw cashew kernel (RCK). This is an addition to the existing export levies i.e. FCFA 10 per kg of RCN to support critical functions pertaining to the sector. In 2017, Benin too reportedly levied an export tax of FCFA 10 per kg of RCN. Other policies that promote local cashew processing in West African countries include an indicative minimum price for RCN at the start of the buying season, which is said to set the bar for influencing selling and buying behaviour. Policies pertaining to government investment promotion can reportedly include tax-free industrial areas as exemplified by ‘points francs industries in Benin, tax exemptions for the first years of operations, which vary from 5 to 8 years by country, leasing of land in dedicated industrial zones, and including access to utilities as is the case in Côte d’Ivoire.

Moreover, export tax exemptions for RCKs are also favourable to the growth of the market. Benin and Côte d’Ivoire also have import tax exemptions on cashew nut processing machinery. Exporters in Côte d’Ivoire have an obligation to reserve at least 15% of their RCN volumes. A guarantee fund facilitated by the government to help processing units access crop finance, which Côte d'Ivoire backs up bank loans of eligible processing units for up to 25% of the total. In Côte d’Ivoire, a subsidy of FCFA 400 per kg of RCK exported is applicable, which in 2017 was initially equivalent to 10% of RCN value and later increased to 20% at FCFA 400 per kg in 2018, resulting in sharp drops in the RCN market price. Besides, in February 2020, it was announced that the USDA’s Food For Progress (FFPr) Regional Cashew Value Chain Project would be rolling out a $38 million project that is envisaged for six years, in Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and The Gambia, which will reportedly enhance the regional cashew value chain to strengthen the processed cashew trade in local and international markets.

The project is also called the Linking Infrastructure, Finance, and Farms to Cashews (LIFFT-Cashew), which is expected to facilitate the processing of cashew nuts in greater quantity since only 5-6% of the cashew nuts are processed locally. This project is expected to pave the way for more investments, and foster market-led development apart from the regional integration of the cashew sector, which will partly contribute to cashew kernel market growth in the next few years [ Source: the U.S. Embassy in The Gambia].

Recent developments in Asia too are expected to augment the growth of the global cashew kernel market. For instance, in Vietnam, MARD (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) has issued a list of 13 national products which acknowledge cashew, among others. With preferential support measures which are offered under the decree 57/2018/ND-CP, cashew, among others, will be eligible for the same. The decree is related to incentive policies that are intended to encourage investments from enterprises aimed at agriculture, among others.

The preferential measures include support for investments in facilities and equipment for processing or preserving agricultural products, support for the transfer, and the application of high-technology in agriculture, preferential credit, market development, and promotion activities, and exemptions from or reductions in land or water surface rents, among others. The policy of inurement put in place by the Vietnamese government which appropriates cashew nuts is implicit taxation of producers of such export commodities.

This results in the receipt of prices that are relatively lower than the global prices, which in turn reportedly leads to the total market price support (MPS) becoming equal to the sum of positive and negative support. On the other hand, in August 2020, it was reported that the Honorable VS Sunilkumar, Agriculture Minister of Kerala, India, had reportedly inaugurated a mobile exhibition unit and marketing new processed products of cashew. This initiative is a part of strengthening the extension activities of the Kerala Agricultural University, which includes the marketing of new nutrient-fortified value-added products of sprouted cashew nuts developed by the university. Moreover, Cambodia’s Industrial Development Policy 2015 - 2025 envisions promoting the export of processed agricultural products to reach 12% of all exports by 2025.

Key Development

Chocolat Madagascar will debut a new vegan cashew variety at ISM.

Impact of COVID-19

COVID-19 had a detrimental impact on the cashew value chain since it disturbed the distribution channel, lowering the final of cashew nuts on the market. Due to the lockout and damaged transportation infrastructure, West African producers have suffered a loss since they are unwilling to deliver cashews to Vietnam or India for processing. The entire kernel supply was significantly reduced due to the collection and transport delays.

Cashew Kernal Market Segmentation

By Form

• Wholes
• Brokens
• Butts
• Pieces
• Splits

By Cultivation Type

• Organic
• Conventional

By Processed Types

• Raw
• Dried
• Flavoured

By Packaging Type

• Bags
• Boxes
• Cartons

By Shell

• In-shell
• Shelled

By Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Europe
• Germany
• UK
• France
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia