Cashew cultivation spans over 37 countries globally, with Côte d’Ivoire, India, Cambodia and Vietnam as the leading producers. In the triennium ending (TE) 2023, global raw cashew nut (RCN) production stood at 4.8 million metric tonnes (MMT). Côte d’Ivoire led with 1.15 MMT (24% share), followed by India with 0.77 MMT (16%), Cambodia 0.66 MMT (13%) and Vietnam at 0.36 MMT (7%). Other notable producers include Tanzania, Benin, Philippines, Indonesia, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, and Brazil. Despite being the second-largest producer, India’s average yield (0.6 t/ha) lags behind that of Cambodia (1.5 t/ha) and Vietnam (1.2 t/ha), and is significantly lower than the Philippines (6.8 t/ha), highlighting significant productivity gaps (FAO, 2024; INC, 2024).
India is also the world’s largest consumer of cashew kernels, with domestic consumption growing at an average rate of 7 percent annually, reaching 3.2 lakh tonnes in 2021–22. This dual role—as both a major consumer and exporter, creates opportunities but also demands careful balancing of domestic and export priorities. To meet its processing needs, India imports nearly half of its RCN from African countries. However, the import trade is dominated by intermediaries, who often drive-up prices through hoarding, undermining the cost competitiveness of processors. Global trade of cashew kernel has almost doubled from 3.6 lakh tonnes in 2012 to 6.2 lakh tonnes in 2023, driven by rising global demand for healthy snacks. Vietnam is the largest exporter of cashew kernels, accounting for 63 percent of global exports valued at USD 2.8 billion in TE 2023. Whereas, India’s share in global exports has shrunk to just 8 percent, valued at USD 0.37 billion during the same period, highlighting a sharp decline in its global standing.
