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Market Intelligence Centre

Verified, publicly sourced context on the global, West-African and Ghanaian cashew sectors and the trade frameworks shaping market access.

All figures on this page are drawn from publicly available third-party sources (cited) and reflect the latest data available at publication. They describe the market context and are not ICBC performance data. ICBC does not claim current exports to specific markets; market participation beyond raw cashew trading is a strategic objective.
Global Cashew Industry · Public Market Context

A growing, Africa-led global crop

Cashew is a globally traded tree-nut crop. Africa has become the largest producing region, while processing into kernels remains concentrated in Asia — a structural gap at the centre of the industry's value distribution.[1][2]

~3.9M tonnes
World cashew nut production, 2023 (in-shell)
Source: [1]
~1.04M tonnes
Côte d’Ivoire — world’s largest producer, 2023
Source: [1]
~90%
Africa’s share of global raw cashew-nut exports (2014–18)
Source: [2]
West Africa · Public Market Context

The world's leading production region

West Africa now accounts for the majority of global cashew output, yet most nuts are exported raw to Asia for processing — with only an estimated 15–20% processed on the continent. This value-addition gap represents the region's central strategic opportunity.[2][3]

>50%
West Africa’s share of global cashew output (recent seasons)
Source: [3]
~98%
Share of global raw-cashew imports taken by India & Vietnam
Source: [2]
~15–20%
Share of Africa’s cashew crop processed on the continent
Source: [3]
Ghana Cashew Sector · Public Market Context

A significant producer, exporting mostly raw

Ghana is an established cashew origin, regulated by the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) under the Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019 (Act 1010). The large majority of Ghana's crop is exported as raw cashew nuts, leaving domestic value addition substantially under-developed.[4][5]

~220,000 t
Ghana cashew production, 2023
Source: [5]
≈ US$347M
Ghana raw cashew-nut export value, 2023
Source: [5]
>95%
Share of Ghana’s cashew traded as raw nuts (RCN)
Source: [4]
Trade Framework Intelligence

Frameworks shaping market access

As a Ghana-based business, ICBC operates within trade frameworks that support regional and international market access. The facts below are drawn from official sources.

Market-Access Framework

AfCFTA

54 of 55 African Union states have signed; the AfCFTA Secretariat is hosted in Accra, Ghana. [6]

Market-Access Framework

ECOWAS

A 15-member West-African economic community enabling regional trade. [9]

Market-Access Framework

AGOA (USA)

Ghana is an AGOA-eligible Sub-Saharan country for preferential US market access. [7]

Market-Access Framework

EU–Ghana iEPA

Provides duty-free, quota-free access to the EU for Ghanaian exports (cashew included). [8]

Market-Access Framework

UK–Ghana

A bilateral trade partnership maintaining preferential access to the United Kingdom. [9]

Market Access Opportunities · Strategic Opportunity

Where ICBC's strategy is aimed

Value Addition

Processing raw nuts into kernels and by-products to capture margin currently exported to Asia. Strategic opportunity.

Preferential Access

Leveraging Ghana’s AfCFTA, AGOA, EU and UK frameworks for export competitiveness. Strategic opportunity.

Differentiation

Building toward organic, ethical and food-safety certifications for premium markets. Future roadmap.

Buyer & Export Readiness · Future Roadmap

Preparing to meet international buyer requirements

International cashew buyers typically require consistent quality, food-safety and sustainability certification, traceability and reliable logistics. ICBC's readiness agenda is aligned to these expectations.

Quality & Grading

Aligning to international kernel grades and quality standards.

Food Safety

HACCP / ISO 22000 on the certification roadmap.

Traceability & ESG

Responsible sourcing and sustainability documentation.

Logistics

Export handling via the Port of Tema.

Buyer and export-readiness items are strategic objectives and roadmap targets; ICBC does not represent existing contracts or buyer relationships.

Sources

References

Last reviewed: June 2026. Figures are drawn from the cited public sources and may be updated as new data is released. Trade-access references are subject to current eligibility requirements, rules of origin and applicable regulations.

  1. [1] FAOSTAT, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (cashew nut production data, latest available).
  2. [2] UNCTAD, “Commodities at a Glance: Special issue on cashew nuts.”
  3. [3] African Cashew Alliance (ACA) — industry analysis and market commentary.
  4. [4] Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), Republic of Ghana.
  5. [5] Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) — “Ghana’s Cashew Trade: From raw nuts to real value.”
  6. [6] AfCFTA Secretariat / African Union.
  7. [7] AGOA.info — African Growth and Opportunity Act country eligibility; USTR.
  8. [8] European Commission — Economic Partnership Agreement, West Africa / Ghana interim EPA.
  9. [9] U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov) — Ghana Trade Agreements.

Figures are approximate, reflect the latest publicly available data at publication, and may be revised as sources update. They are provided for general market context only.

Positioned in a high-opportunity market

Explore how ICBC's value-chain and investment strategy responds to these market dynamics.

Cashew Value ChainInvestor Relations