Cashews: quality and demand issues
April 7, 2026 at 10:12 AM ,
Der AUDITOR
Low demand in India
In India, the demand for cashew kernels is currently low with few inquiries and prices that are either flat or slightly decreasing. The Indian rupee has hit a record low, trading at 93.90 against the US dollar. Locally, imported raw cashew nuts (RCN) from Tanzania are selling for approximately USD 1.91/kg, while RCN from Mozambique are priced at around USD 1.60-1.62/kg. International offers for African RCN remain high, staying above USD 1,500/mt.
RCN prices have dropped in early April as exports have started in Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. Arrivals from Cambodia are also available. In February 2026, India exported nearly 2,700 mt of kernels according to trade data. The true level of global demand, particularly from China and the Middle East, will become much clearer in the first half of April.
|
Cashew kernels, India |
|
|
Type |
USD/mt |
|
W240 |
8,790 |
|
W320 |
8,140 |
|
W450 |
7,425 |
|
LWP |
6,795 |
|
SWP |
6,130 |
|
FOB Vietnam |
|
Quality issues in Vietnam
In Vietnam, prices have dropped a little, but the quality of the nuts is lower. Although RCN prices are still too high considering what processed kernels are worth, some major buyers are still thinking about purchasing. The following reflects below-market prices:
|
RCN, Vietnam |
|
|
Type |
USD/mt |
|
Ogbomosho, Nigeria, 50/185, Apr-May |
1,625 |
|
Burkina Faso, 47/205, Apr-May |
1,525 |
|
Côte D’Ivoire, Apr-May |
1,560 |
|
Kogi, Nigeria, Mar-Apr |
1,500 |
|
CNF Ho Chi Minh Port |
|
Roasters and nut processors still need to cover. Some buyers will have to bid at higher prices to find sellers for W320 and W240 kernels. Market sentiments are relatively firm as the quality did not quite meet expectations in early arrivals from West Africa.
|
Cashew kernels, Vietnam |
|
|
Type |
USD/lb |
|
W180 |
4.05-4.40 |
|
W210 |
3.90-4.20 |
|
W240 |
3.30-3.50 |
|
W320 |
3.10-3.30 |
|
FOB Vietnam |
|
Lower yields in Côte d’Ivoire
In Côte d’Ivoire, the cashew market officially opened for exporters to purchase RCN on 25 March 2026 as local processors successfully negotiated an additional ten-day extension to build sufficient stocks. Many processors, however, report that this was a tight window. They have procured an estimated 530,000-550,000 mt.
Harvesting continues across production zones. However, a key difference this year is the significantly lower level of on-farm stockholding. Producers are selling more rapidly after harvest, likely driven by immediate cash needs. A high degree of uncertainty persists in the market linked to global geopolitical tensions (notably the Middle East) and risk-averse behaviour. While early reports suggested a poor season, current evidence indicates that the situation is normal, although yields are generally below last year’s levels. Wholesale prices range at USD 0.72-0.75/kg depending on region and factory gate prices at USD 0.82-0.87/kg reflecting slight upward adjustments as processors compete to secure stocks.
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