CASHEW MARKET REPORT JUNE 16, 2026

The cashew market remains subdued, with prices fluctuating only slightly, amid shrinking supply from West Africa at the end of the season and continued pressure on processing profit margins.

I. OVERVIEW OF THE VIETNAMESE MARKET

General trend: The market is sluggish, raw material prices remain high relative to kernel prices, and many production facilities have shut down or reduced capacity.

• Price: The FOB export price of cashew kernels from Vietnam and the international RCN price generally remained stable compared to the previous week. 
  • Cashew kernels (FOB Vietnam): W180 at 4.25-4.3 USD/lb; WW240 is priced at $3.30–$3.50/lb; WW320 at $3.00–$3.25/lb; Tank products (WS, LWP/LP) maintain stable prices. 
  • Raw cashew nuts (RCN CFR Asia): Prices for West African crude oil futures for July delivery fell slightly (around US$1,325 – US$1,575/tonne depending on region and recovery), while Senegal/Guinea-Bissau crude oil maintained good prices at US$1,600 – US$1,675/tonne.
• Processing status: In Vietnam, some factories are also facing the risk of temporarily suspending production or reducing capacity due to the narrow profit margin between the price of cashew kernels and the price of raw cashews (even after optimizing revenue from by-products such as selling cashew shells at $200/ton).
• Statistics as of May 15, 2026:
  • Imports of raw cashew nuts in the first half of May 2026 reached 132,749 tons, equivalent to last year's import level of 134,454 tons.

From the beginning of the year until May 15, 2026, Vietnam's total imports of raw cashew nuts reached 1,368,983 tons. increase of 17% (1,173,272 tons) compared to the same period last year.

• Cashew kernel exports in the first half of May 2026 reached 32,955 tons, a decrease of 3% (925 tons) compared to the same period last year (33,880 tons).

From the beginning of the year to May 15, 2026, Vietnam's cashew kernel exports totaled 227,174 tons, equivalent to the export volume of 229,417 tons during the same period last year.

II. SITUATION IN WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES

Most West African countries are entering the final stages of the harvest season, trade is slowing down, and the quality of late-harvested grain is being affected by rain. 

• Côte d’Ivoire

• Market: The end of the season is fraught with difficulties, with trading activity declining sharply or temporarily halting as many foreign buyers and domestic processors have withdrawn. Stormy weather with strong winds is degrading the quality of remaining inventory. 
• Price: Farm-gate prices commonly range from 220 to 300 CFA francs/kg depending on quality. Prices at the port/export point are slightly lower, around 445 to 450 CFA francs/kg. 

• Burkina Faso

• Market: Market indicators (number of visitors, volume, prices) have all decreased. This is due to the end of the main harvest season.
• Price: Farm-gate prices have fallen to around 425-500 CFA francs/kg. Prices at Bobo Dioulasso remain stable at 500-550 CFA francs/kg.

• Togo

• Market: The sharp drop in inventories signals the end of the season. Demand from exporters and domestic buyers remains cautious due to low profit margins and export risks. 
• Price: The downward trend continues. Farm-gate prices range from 430 to 500 CFA francs/kg (compared to 500-580 last week).

• Senegal

• Market: Activities are proceeding relatively normally. Supply has decreased in Sokone, but remains abundant in Casamance (south). A second harvest is expected next week. 
• Price: Farm-gate prices in Sokone remained stable at 600–625 CFA francs/kg; in Casamance, prices ranged from 500–550 CFA francs/kg. Wholesale/export prices ranged from 625–650 CFA francs/kg. 

• Guinea & Ghana

• Guinea: Limited supply, low trading volume, and stable prices. Farm-gate prices in Boké are 6,500–7,000 GNF/kg, and in Kankan are 4,500–5,000 GNF/kg. 
• Ghana: The main harvest season has officially ended, and stocks held by farmers are scarce. A few small deals were ultimately closed at 7-8 GHS/kg at the farm and 9-10 GHS/kg at the warehouse. 

III. Short-term outlook: 

The West African cashew harvest is drawing to a close, and slower trading activity is common at this time. Raw supply is shrinking across most producing countries, while exporters and traders remain cautious due to thin profit margins and some export hurdles. On the market, farmgate prices have adjusted slightly, and transactions mainly revolve around selling off remaining stock. Furthermore, international demand remains subdued, and developments in the Middle East are factors the market is closely monitoring.

However, due to depleted inventories in producing countries, the pressure for sharp price reductions will be limited, and the market is likely to enter a period of sideways stabilization.