Nigeria’s cashew exports reached a staggering $398 million in the first half of 2025, cementing the country’s position as a global player in the agricultural export market. Discover how NEPC strategies, value chain development, and economic reforms are driving this growth.
Introduction: Nigeria’s Agricultural Export Revolution
In the first half of 2025, Nigeria witnessed an extraordinary development in its agricultural export landscape: cashew exports surged to $398 million, according to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC). This remarkable figure not only signals a revitalized non-oil export sector but also illustrates Nigeria’s growing capacity to thrive in global agricultural markets. For a nation long dependent on crude oil revenues, this milestone represents a deliberate and strategic shift toward economic diversification and sustainable growth.
The Numbers Tell the Story: A 81.15% Increase
The jump in cashew exports is not merely symbolic—it is backed by robust numbers. Compared to the same period in 2024, where Nigeria earned approximately $219.78 million from cashew exports, this year’s first-half earnings mark an 81.15% increase. These gains are not isolated, either. They are part of a broader resurgence in non-oil exports across Nigeria, which have been growing steadily since 2022.
This leap positions cashew nuts as Nigeria’s third-largest export product among more than 230 non-oil goods, trailing only cocoa and urea in revenue contribution. The implication is clear: cashew has moved from a niche agricultural product to a major export commodity with global demand.
Nigeria’s Place on the Global Cashew Map
With this export boom, Nigeria has solidified its ranking as the fourth-largest cashew-producing country in the world. This is significant considering the stiff competition from global producers like India, Vietnam, and Côte d’Ivoire. Nigeria’s favorable climate, fertile land, and increasing investment in agro-processing have created an environment where cashew thrives—not just in farms but across the entire export value chain.
Moreover, the geographic distribution of cashew production is expanding. States like Kogi, Oyo, Kwara, Imo, and Benue are emerging as hubs for cashew cultivation and processing. These regions are attracting both domestic and foreign investors eager to capitalize on this rapidly growing sector.
NEPC’s Strategic Role in Cashew Export Expansion
At the center of Nigeria’s cashew export success is the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), under the leadership of its Executive Director and CEO, Nonye Ayeni. The council has implemented several transformative policies aimed at promoting non-oil exports and ensuring that agricultural products meet international standards.
One of the most critical initiatives is the launch of the Cashew Processors’ Directory, a comprehensive mapping of licensed cashew processors across Nigeria. This tool enhances transparency, traceability, and networking opportunities within the industry. It also serves as a gateway for foreign buyers and investors looking to source directly from Nigerian processors.
Another groundbreaking NEPC initiative is the “Go Global, Go for Certification” campaign. This program assists Nigerian exporters in obtaining international certifications such as HACCP, ISO, FDA, and EU Organic, ensuring their products can compete on the global stage. This has significantly improved the reputation of Nigerian cashews, especially in premium markets like Europe, North America, and parts of Asia.
Cashew’s Role in Nigeria’s Non-Oil Export Boom
The rise of cashew exports is one facet of a larger non-oil export revolution sweeping across Nigeria. In Q1 2025, the country recorded total non-oil export earnings of $1.791 billion, up from $1.435 billion in the same quarter in 2024. That’s a 24.75% increase in revenue and a 243% increase in export volume, which reached over 2.4 million metric tonnes.
While cocoa remains the dominant non-oil export product, contributing over 45% of total value, cashew now accounts for more than 22%, closely followed by urea/fertilizer at 19.32%. Other notable exports include sesame seeds, soya meal, rubber, aluminium ingots, copper derivatives, and processed food items.
This level of product diversity showcases the success of government policies encouraging local production, value addition, and private sector involvement in export-oriented agriculture.
Foreign Exchange Earnings and Trade Balance Impact
The export boom is also playing a critical role in Nigeria’s foreign exchange dynamics. For decades, Nigeria’s dependence on crude oil meant that any disruption in oil markets led to significant foreign exchange volatility. But with the increasing contribution of non-oil exports—especially high-demand commodities like cashew—Nigeria is gradually building a more resilient and diversified forex base.
The inflow of nearly $400 million from cashew exports in just six months has helped stabilize the naira and reduced pressure on foreign reserves. It has also improved the country’s balance of payments, allowing for more sustainable trade relationships and greater fiscal stability.
Empowering Farmers and Creating Jobs
Cashew production is not just about foreign exchange—it’s also a powerful driver of rural development and job creation. From farmhands to processing plant workers, transporters to exporters, the entire cashew value chain employs thousands of Nigerians.
Smallholder farmers, in particular, are benefitting from government support through NEPC and partnerships with local cooperatives. Programs offering hybrid seedlings, training on sustainable farming practices, and access to markets are transforming livelihoods in communities that previously depended on subsistence agriculture.
In Imo State, for instance, cashew exports in 2024 alone generated $8 million in revenue, up from just $2.5 million the year before. That success story is being replicated in other states as cashew becomes a strategic crop for economic empowerment.
Infrastructure and Investment: The Next Frontier
Despite these gains, there are still challenges to overcome. Infrastructure remains a critical bottleneck. Poor road networks, inadequate storage facilities, limited access to power, and bureaucratic bottlenecks at ports all hinder the efficiency of the cashew export value chain.
However, opportunities abound. NEPC and other stakeholders are calling for private-public partnerships to invest in modern processing plants, cold storage units, and logistics infrastructure. These investments will not only enhance the quality and shelf life of cashew products but also enable Nigeria to move up the value chain—from exporting raw nuts to producing high-value products like roasted cashew, cashew butter, and cashew milk.
Furthermore, the digital transformation of trade is opening new doors. Platforms that connect farmers directly to international buyers are reducing middlemen, increasing transparency, and offering better returns to producers.
Expanding Global Market Share
To truly maximize the potential of the cashew sector, must expand its reach into untapped global markets. While Europe and India remain the largest buyers of Nigerian cashews, other regions—including East Asia, North America, and the Middle East—offer substantial growth opportunities.
This requires more aggressive marketing, international trade missions, and participation in global food expos. Branding Nigerian cashews as a premium, ethically sourced, and sustainably grown product will be key to commanding higher prices in these markets.
The global cashew market trends and Nigeria’s opportunity within it is available from the International Trade Centre.
Sustainability and Climate Adaptation
Another critical area for long-term growth is climate-smart agriculture. Cashew trees are generally drought-resistant, making them ideal for Nigeria’s climate. However, rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns require adaptation strategies.
Investment in research, irrigation, and climate-resilient seedlings can ensure that cashew production remains viable in the coming decades. NEPC is also exploring opportunities to align cashew farming with carbon credit markets, creating a new revenue stream while enhancing sustainability.
Conclusion: Nigeria’s Cashew Gold Rush Has Only Just Begun
The surge in cashew exports to $398 million in just six months is more than a headline—it is a reflection of what is possible when policy, private sector drive, and global demand intersect. As NEPC continues to innovate and support the value chain, and as more Nigerians enter the export ecosystem, the future of the cashew industry looks brighter than ever.
This is a defining moment not just for cashew producers, but for Nigeria as a whole. In an era where sustainable growth, job creation, and foreign exchange stability are urgently needed, cashew exports may well become the golden fruit of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.
