Côte d’Ivoire has recorded a major breakthrough in its cashew sector, with cashew kernel exports rising more than fivefold over the past four years thanks to a rapid expansion of local processing facilities. According to data from the Cotton and Cashew Council (CCA), kernel exports reached 72,000 metric tons in 2024, up 52% from the previous year and dramatically higher than the 13,500 tons exported in 2020.
The surge is the result of sustained investment in domestic processing capacity. The number of operational cashew-processing plants in the country has more than doubled since 2016, increasing from 17 to over 35 by 2024. This growth has driven processed kernel production from 103,103 tons in 2020 to 344,000 tons in 2024, positioning Côte d’Ivoire as one of the fastest-rising cashew processors globally.
Export revenues reflect this shift toward value addition. Kernel exports generated USD 440.5 million (about 249.1 billion XOF) in 2024—almost double the previous year and nearly six times the USD 65 million recorded in 2020. Despite the progress, processed kernels still account for only 30% of the sector’s export earnings, underscoring continued reliance on raw nut shipments.
The government aims to change that. The CCA has set a target to process 50% of national cashew output by 2030, part of its strategy to capture more value domestically and build a competitive agro-industrial sector. New investments are helping drive this agenda: in 2024, the Council secured USD 28 million from three international companies and an additional USD 24 million from the UAE-based Rosyson for a new processing plant.
Two major industrial units—managed by Singapore’s Valency International and Robust International—have also come online, adding a combined processing capacity of more than 80,000 tons per year. Key global cashew processors such as Olam, Dorado Ivory, and Vietnamese group Quang Thien Imex continue to expand operations, while local firms including Ecocajou, Eden Foods, and Geppa Industries are strengthening their presence.
With production rising, exports accelerating, and sustained investor interest, Côte d’Ivoire is rapidly consolidating its position as a leading player in the global cashew value chain. The country’s focus on processing rather than raw exports could significantly boost rural employment, diversify export revenues, and enhance competitiveness in the years ahead.
