Cashew Production by Country
At TTQ Industrial Equipment Co., Ltd., we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of cashew processing technology, delivering cutting-edge solutions that empower processors worldwide. Our cashew cutting machine lineup—featuring the robust 4-head, versatile 10-head, and high-capacity 16-head models—represents the pinnacle of efficiency, reliability, and innovation. Designed and manufactured in Vietnam, the global hub of cashew production, TTQ’s machines are engineered to handle the toughest challenges in cashew nut shelling and cutting, ensuring maximum kernel yield with minimal waste.
Global Cashew Production
Cashew nuts, derived from the cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale), are a vital tropical crop with significant economic importance in producing regions. Native to Brazil, cashews are now cultivated across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where they support livelihoods for millions of smallholder farmers. The global cashew industry encompasses raw nut production, processing into kernels, and trade in value-added products, generating billions in revenue annually.
Production is measured in metric tons (MT) of in-shell nuts, with kernels representing about 20-25% of the weight after shelling. As of 2025, the industry faces a dynamic landscape influenced by climate variability, market demand for healthy snacks, and efforts to boost local processing in producer countries. This page provides an in-depth analysis of cashew production by country from 2020 to 2025, drawing on data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other reliable sources. We explore trends, such as Africa’s rising dominance, and offer projections for 2026 amid growing global consumption projected to reach 14 billion USD by 2030.
The following world map illustrates cashew production distribution in 2023, highlighting Africa’s pivotal role.
Global Overview and Historical Trends
Global cashew production has shown steady growth over the past decade, driven by expanding cultivation in West Africa and rising demand in emerging markets. According to FAO data, worldwide output reached approximately 3.85 million MT in 2022, up from 3.66 million MT in 2020. By 2023, it climbed to 3.93 million MT, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 3-4% during 2020-2023.
Africa accounts for over 60% of global production, with West African nations leading due to favorable climates and government incentives for smallholder farming. Asia, particularly India and Vietnam, dominates processing, importing raw nuts from Africa for kernel export. Latin America contributes modestly but is growing through sustainable practices.
Key historical trends include:
- Post-2020 Recovery: Production dipped slightly in 2020 due to COVID-19 disruptions but rebounded strongly in 2021-2022 as supply chains stabilized.
- African Surge: Output in Côte d’Ivoire and neighboring countries doubled from 2016 levels by 2023, fueled by expanded acreage.
- Climate Impacts: Erratic weather, such as droughts in India and floods in Vietnam, caused fluctuations, with 2024 seeing a temporary dip in some regions.
These dynamics underscore the industry’s resilience and the need for climate-resilient varieties.
Cashew Production by Country: 2020-2025
The table below summarizes production for the top 15 countries from 2020 to 2025, based on FAO and supplementary data. Figures are in thousand metric tons (kMT) of in-shell nuts. Note: 2024 and 2025 data are preliminary estimates; 2021 figures are interpolated where direct FAO data is limited, based on reported growth rates.
| Country | 2020 (kMT) | 2021 (kMT) | 2022 (kMT) | 2023 (kMT) | 2024 (kMT, est.) | 2025 (kMT, est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Côte d’Ivoire | 849 | 950 | 970 | 1,044 | 1,100 | 1,150 |
| India | 703 | 720 | 752 | 782 | 780 | 725 |
| Vietnam | 349 | 360 | 370 | 348 | 340 | 320 |
| Benin | 138 | 150 | 160 | 204 | 210 | 220 |
| Tanzania | 233 | 240 | 250 | 189 | 300 | 425 |
| Indonesia | 166 | 170 | 175 | 164 | 170 | 175 |
| Mozambique | 143 | 145 | 150 | 157 | 160 | 165 |
| Burkina Faso | 135 | 140 | 145 | 144 | 150 | 155 |
| Philippines | 256 | 250 | 240 | 136 | 140 | 145 |
| Brazil | 139 | 140 | 145 | 128 | 130 | 135 |
| Ghana | 89 | 95 | 100 | 116 | 120 | 125 |
| Guinea-Bissau | 120 | 115 | 110 | 115 | 120 | 125 |
| Nigeria | 92 | 95 | 100 | 88 | 90 | 95 |
| Guinea | 37 | 40 | 45 | 81 | 85 | 90 |
| Mali | 74 | 75 | 80 | 75 | 80 | 85 |
| Global Total | 3,660 | 3,800 | 3,853 | 3,935 | 4,200 | 4,300 |
Key Trends in Cashew Production
Over the last five years, several trends have shaped the cashew landscape:
- Africa’s Ascendancy: West African countries like Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Burkina Faso increased output by 20-50%, capturing 55% of global share by 2023. This shift reduces reliance on Asian processing hubs.
- Climate Volatility: Unseasonal rains in Vietnam led to a 6% dip in 2023, while droughts in India stabilized yields through irrigation investments. Overall, production grew 7.5% from 2020 to 2025 despite these challenges.
- Sustainability Push: Initiatives like the African Cashew Alliance promote eco-friendly farming, boosting yields in Tanzania by 30% since 2020.
- Demand-Driven Growth: Rising health awareness fueled a 7.1% CAGR in market value, encouraging acreage expansion in Mozambique and Ghana.
- Processing Localization: Countries like Nigeria aim to process 50% of domestic nuts by 2025, up from 10% in 2020, to capture more value.
These trends highlight a move toward diversified, resilient supply chains.
Projections for 2026
Looking ahead, global cashew production is forecasted to reach 4.69 million MT in 2026, a 9% increase from 2025, driven by African expansion and Asian recovery. The 2025/26 season estimates a slight global dip to 5.21 million MT due to weather, but 2026 rebound is expected with better monsoons. Country-specific projections include:
- Côte d’Ivoire: 1.3 million MT, maintaining leadership with infrastructure upgrades.
- India: 750,000 MT, stable amid export focus.
- Vietnam: 300,000 MT, recovering from 2025 dips.
- Tanzania: 450,000 MT, record highs continuing.
- Cambodia (emerging): 800,000 MT, up 10% on large nut varieties.
Overall CAGR of 4-5% to 2030, with Africa projected at 70% share by 2026.
The bar chart below visualizes top producers’ projected shares for 2026.
Challenges and Opportunities
Challenges include climate change, with projections of 10-15% yield losses in vulnerable areas by 2030, and supply chain bottlenecks post-2020. Opportunities lie in value addition—local processing could add $2-3 billion annually to African economies—and sustainable certification to meet EU demands.
Investments in hybrid seeds and irrigation offer pathways to 6 million MT global output by 2030.
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