East Africa Cashew Marketing Season Has Commenced
Tanzania and Mozambique have begun their 2026/27 harvest seasons with divergent production and policy outlooks.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Organic Food
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Tanzania and Mozambique, which supply 98 percent of East Africa's cashews, have officially opened the 2026/27 marketing season. While Tanzania projects a record harvest, Mozambique anticipates a decline amid new efforts to regulate trade.
Why it matters
Changes in regional production and trade policies can impact the global supply and pricing of organic nuts. These adjustments reflect broader efforts by East African nations to improve agricultural stability and domestic processing.
Official projections indicate Tanzania expects 750,000 tonnes of production, representing a 21.3 percent increase, while Mozambique forecasts 146,000 tonnes. The long-term effectiveness of these regional strategies remains subject to ongoing market monitoring.
The players
Tanzania
An East African nation that accounts for a significant portion of the regional cashew supply and has invested in storage infrastructure.
Mozambique
An East African nation currently implementing new export levies to encourage domestic nut processing and reduce illegal trade.
The details
Tanzania is supporting its production growth by distributing 51,000 tonnes of powdered sulphur and six million litres of liquid pesticides to farmers. Conversely, Mozambique is shifting its strategy by increasing its raw nut export levy from 18 percent to 22 percent to discourage illegal exports, which reached 35,000 tonnes over three years. The country has also set a reference farmgate price of 48 meticais per kilogram to stabilize the market.
Timeline
April 27, 2026: Program launched to distribute free agricultural inputs.
June 30, 2026: Producers reported shortages of subsidised sulphur.
September 2, 2026: Infrastructure project details published.
October 7, 2026: Mozambique announced new farmgate cashew price.
October 12, 2026: Tanzania started national cashew auctions.
Health Landscape
These developments occur within the context of the East African regional cashew supply chain concentration, which dominates 98 percent of the market. The current season represents a strategic departure as nations balance infrastructure investment against stringent export regulation.
While these shifts impact regional agriculture and trade, they highlight the importance of understanding the origin and regulation of your pantry staples. Consumers interested in the sustainability of their food sources can discuss the transparency of supply chains with food retailers.
The takeaway
The cashew season has started with a focus on production growth in Tanzania and increased trade regulation in Mozambique. Monitoring these regional supply trends can provide insight into the global stability of one of your favorite nutrient-dense snacks.
Further reading
For context on the cultivation and regulation of crops, visit our section on Organic Food.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ecofin Agency.
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