Overview: Season Performance by Origin
The raw cashew nut (RCN) season in West Africa typically runs from February through May, with different origins peaking at different times. Our field teams across Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Togo have filed their reports and the picture is nuanced.
| Country | 2024 Volume (Est.) | vs. 2023 | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guinea Conakry | ~180,000 MT | +12% | Good |
| Guinea Bissau | ~220,000 MT | +5% | Very Good |
| Senegal | ~90,000 MT | +18% | Good |
| Ivory Coast | ~750,000 MT | -8% | Good |
| Togo | ~45,000 MT | +3% | Average |
Pricing Dynamics
After two years of softening prices, the 2024 season opened with firmer FOB prices, driven by a combination of factors:
- Indian processor demand remains robust, with major Indian processors actively purchasing from early February
- Vietnamese competition for RCN has moderated slightly as their processing capacity tightens
- Currency movements in key origin countries have affected local purchase prices
- Climate impact — delayed rains in some regions pushed nut sizing slightly smaller in certain origins
Our View: Buyers who contracted early February at FOB Guinea prices saw some of the best value of the season. For those still sourcing, we recommend securing Q3 supply from Togo and Senegal origins where post-peak pricing has softened.
Quality Parameters to Watch
The 2024 season has seen improved outturn ratios (OTR) from Guinea Bissau — a key quality metric for processors. Average OTR across our Guinea Bissau shipments has been running at 48–50 lbs per 80 kg bag, which is encouraging for buyers.
Moisture content has been within acceptable ranges across most origins, though buyers sourcing from certain Ivory Coast sub-regions should request quality certificates showing moisture levels below 10%.
Logistics and Availability
Port congestion at Abidjan has eased compared to 2023, and vessel availability on the West Africa to India corridor has improved. Lead times from contract to FOB loading are currently running at 3–4 weeks for most origins.
Prithvi Global’s Outlook
We expect the West African cashew market to remain active through June for late-season origins. Buyers looking to secure supply for Q3 and Q4 processing schedules should begin contracting no later than April.
Our team is available for direct discussions on origin-specific pricing, quality specifications and shipment planning. Contact us below for your personalised sourcing strategy.