Nigeria cashew exports to the EU rise to 3,035 tons in 2025, boosting earnings and highlighting growth opportunities in the global market

Nigeria’s cashew exports to the European Union rose to 3,035 metric tonnes in 2025, representing a 12 per cent increase from 2,709 tonnes in 2024, according to data from Mundus Agri. The surge comes amid uneven supply from several African producers.

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In the first half of 2025, the value of Nigeria’s cashew exports reached $398.135 million, an 81.15 per cent increase from $219.780 million during the same period in 2024, signalling a strengthening role for Nigeria in the global nut market.

Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), noted that cashew nuts now rank third among Nigeria’s 234 exported products, while cashew kernels moved from 18th to 14th position, with exports rising 40.29 per cent to $26.851 million.

The rise in exports reflects growing global demand for both raw and value-added cashew products.

“These figures are not just statistics; they are a powerful signal that the time to invest, innovate, and scale the cashew value chain is now,” Ayeni said.

Mundus Agri reported that EU cashew imports increased to 193,772 tonnes in 2025, up 4.6 per cent from 185,189 tonnes in 2024.

Vietnam remained the largest supplier with 138,287 tonnes, while Côte d’Ivoire recorded the strongest growth among major exporters, shipping nearly 35 per cent more to the EU.

Despite Nigeria’s smaller share compared with Vietnam or Côte d’Ivoire, the increase in shipments translated into higher earnings and renewed attention on domestic production and processing.

NEPC emphasised the need to address challenges such as quality consistency, logistics, and financing access for smallholder farmers.

Ayeni highlighted the sector’s potential, citing rising global demand for cashew products, opportunities for local value addition, industrial processing, and empowerment of smallholder farmers.

She urged farmers, processors, exporters, and investors to collaborate strategically to establish Nigeria as a hub for premium cashew products.

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With Nigeria currently ranked fourth globally in cashew nut production, NEPC views the surge in exports as a crucial step toward capturing greater market share and enhancing the country’s bio-economy.