US - largest importer of Vietnamese cashew nuts

Vietnam exported 142,842 tons of cashew nuts valued at US$1.41 billion during the first five months of this year, up 22.1% in volume and 25.7% in value against the same period last year, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

The average export price of the nuts inched up 2.9% to US$9,841 per ton.

Exports in May alone jumped 13.5% in volume to US$36,501 tons with the value rising 10% beyond April, to US$341.12 million.

The US, the Netherlands and China are the three largest consumers of Vietnamese cashews, with values of more than US$100 million each. The US topped the list of importers with 53,935 tons, worth US$532.66 million, accounting for 38% of Vietnam’s total exports, a rise of 29.5% in volume and 30.6% in value over the corresponding period last year.

The Netherlands came second with 17,520 tons (up 2%), worth US$183.99 million (up 10.5%), and were trailed by China with 15,772 tons, valued at US$152.89 million (up 6.3% in volume and 8.2% in value).

Over the period, exports of cashew nuts to most markets grew in both volume and value compared to the same period last year with markets such as Greece up 126.3% to US$2.64 million, the Philippines up 107.4% to US$6.42 million, South Africa up 78.4% to US$5.03 million, France up 77.2% to US$20.84 million, and Italy up 76% to US$25.86 million. Ukraine was the highest growth market ballooning 309% in volume and 364.4% in value.