Maputo, April 17, 2026 (Lusa) - Mozambique's gross cashew exports soared in 2025 to $121.6 million (€103.1 million), according to the agriculture ministry’s provisional data.
The 2025 performance data shows these exports almost tripled in a year compared to the $44.1 million (€37.4 million) recorded in 2024, with India and Vietnam as the main destinations.
Mozambique’s exported volume also grew from just over 48,000 tonnes (t) in 2024 to over 93,000 tonnes in 2025.
Macadamia exports are also rising, from $30.2 million (€25.6 million) in 2024 to $39.9 million (€33.9 million) in 2025.
The government announced in October it plans to invest $374 million (€317 million) to develop the cashew sector and raise annual production from 158,000 t to 689,000 by 2034.
Data from the agriculture, environment and fisheries ministry shows the programme aims to promote sustainable and competitive development of the cashew value chain (the process of production from farm to market). The plan strengthens research, promotion, technical support, marketing and processing to increase production and producer income while creating jobs.
"Cashew nuts promote social cohesion, food security and nutrition and we encourage their use in school meals and restaurant recipes," Minister Roberto Albino said on Friday.
The 2025-2034 Cashew Value Chain Development Programme includes reforming implementation mechanisms to strengthen the industry and, in addition to increasing production levels, it also aims to increase "support capacity from 230,000 to over 600,000 producers, processing capacity from 40,000 to over 482,000 tonnes, and consolidate the sector’s digitalisation process".
The minister formally started the program in October. He said the state must create a business-friendly environment through policies that boost business development. "Value chain players should tell the government what they want so the business environment can generate wealth," he said.
He added the goal is to foster alliances among stakeholders, including producers, industrialists and exporters, to develop the country.
“We intend to make the cashew industry function without major state intervention,” he said.
Implementing this programme to increase cashew income requires viewing the entire chain as a business.
Previous official data showed Mozambique sold about 195,400 t in the 2024/2025 season. This historic milestone approaches the 1970s record when the country ranked among the world’s top producers.
Agriculture ministry information shows production reached over 200,000 t annually 50 years ago during the colonial period. Mozambique was the world’s second-largest producer until the mid-1970s, reaching 210,000 t in 1973. India bought most of that production then and remains a major buyer.
Production fell below 10% to about 15,000 to 20,000 t annually after Mozambique’s independence on 25 June 1975. However, it has grown yearly, reaching seventh place globally during the 2024/2025 season.
PVJ/LYT // AYLS
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