Ivory Coast’s cashew nut production is expected to remain stable in 2026 at between 1.5 million and 1.7 million metric tons, supported by favourable weather conditions and stronger measures to curb smuggling, according to the country’s cashew sector regulator.
Mamadou Berté, Director General of the Cotton and Cashew Council, said the outlook reflects sustained rainfall patterns in key producing regions and tighter controls aimed at reducing illicit cross-border trade, which has previously distorted official export figures.
Ivory Coast is the world’s largest producer and exporter of cashew nuts, a strategic crop that provides income for hundreds of thousands of rural households and plays a significant role in the country’s non-cocoa agricultural exports. Output in 2025 was within a similar range, indicating relative stability in the sector despite global market volatility.
Authorities have stepped up efforts to combat smuggling, particularly along borders with neighbouring countries, where unrecorded exports have historically reduced official volumes and government revenues. Improved monitoring, enforcement and coordination with security agencies have been central to this crackdown.
The government has also continued policies aimed at strengthening the domestic cashew value chain. While most of Ivory Coast’s raw cashew nuts are still exported for processing abroad, especially to Asia, local processing capacity has expanded in recent years as part of efforts to retain more value within the economy.
Cashew nuts remain one of Ivory Coast’s most important agricultural commodities, alongside cocoa and rubber. Officials say maintaining stable output, improving traceability and increasing local processing are key pillars of the country’s broader strategy to diversify exports and boost agro-industrial development.
