Cashew value chain in Kenya: production, value and opportunities

Page 03 · Value chains

ChCashew

Cashew value chain dashboard.

Production

12kt

/yr · raw nut

Sector value

KES 1.8B

0.03%

Producers

~40,000 farmers

estimated reach

Current status

Coastal cashew is a declining VC under revitalization. Yields halved over 20 years on aging trees + cashew nut weevil. Government replanting programme 2022.

Future trends

Replanting + variety renewal underway. Cashew apple juice processing niche. Vietnam/India dominate global processing.

Needs & gaps

Aging trees, weevil damage, weak processing. Most raw nuts exported unprocessed (low value capture).

Major actors

4 firms / bodies tracked

Kenya Cashew Co.PROCAFA Nuts & Oils DirectorateREGKALRO MtwapaR&DCoast Cashew Co-opCOOP

Investment opportunities

3 actionable paths

Replanting with improved varieties + weevil-resistant rootstock.

Local processing (kernel cracking) for value-capture.

Cashew apple juice + concentrate.

Cashew through every value-chain lens

14 stages covered

Markets

Raw cashew nut KES 95-130/kg; kernel export USD 8-11/kg.

Growing conditions

Coastal lowlands; weevil pressure rises with humidity.

Inputs & logistics

Improved seedlings; minimal fertilizer.

Production

Yields 2.4kg/tree current vs target 8kg.

Harvest & post-harvest

Manual drop-collection; weevil damage major loss source.

Aggregation

Coast Cashew Co-op + buying agents.

Trade

Raw nut export to India/Vietnam dominant; some kernel to EU.

Processing

Kenya Cashew Co. + small cracking units.

Retail

Domestic processed cashew premium; mostly export.

Consumer

Domestic consumption minor.

R&D

KALRO Mtwapa replanting + variety renewal.

Mechanization

Cracking + roasting mechanized in processors.

Infrastructure

Coast port logistics adequate.

Financing

AFC replanting loans; Equity Bank coastal portfolio.