United States Cashew Market Size and Share Outlook - Forecast Trends and Growth Analysis Report (2025-2034)

The United States cashew market was valued at USD 1.01 Billion in 2024. The industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.20% during the forecast period of 2025-2034. Demand for minimally processed preservative-free cashews is majorly driving growth with consumers seeking natural and transparent ingredients in snacks, dairy alternatives, and packaged foods. In turn, all these factors have resulted in the market attaining a valuation of USD 1.68 Billion by 2034.

United States Cashew Market Overview

The market is mostly driven by an increasing demand from consumers for healthy snacks and plant-based protein sources. Awareness of the nutritional benefits of cashews, which include healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, is driving up demand in the United States cashew market. Moreover, the shifting focus on sustainably sourced cashews with fair trade and ethical practices are also trending in the market. Key players are looking at new technologies in processing, packaging, and marketing that can capture niches such as gluten-free and allergen-friendly. Ever-growing use of cashews in bakeries, confectioneries, and ready-to-eat meals makes the cashew versatile appeal grow, while an increasing number of online retail channels enhance accessibility and convenience for consumers.

United States Cashew Market Growth

Cashew-based dairy alternatives, such as cheese, milk, and yogurt, are turning into a prominent niche driving the United States cashew market growth with increasing demand towards veganism and plant-based products. Companies are now innovating creamy, versatile cashew formulations for health-conscious and environmentally aware consumers. Moreover, the segment of specialty gourmet snacks is performing well in the market, with demand in artisan cashew categories such as spiced blends, chocolate-dipped cashews, and international flavors. Such high-value offerings appeal to gourmet outlets and gift packers, reaching indulgent and adventurous consumers while providing brands the opportunity to command a premium price.

Key Trends and Developments

The key trends of the United States cashew market include sustainable sourcing, flavored innovations, plant-based dairy alternatives, and functional food applications.

January 2025

A range of cashew snacks and cashew butters was introduced by Octonuts California, a leader in plant-based eating.

October 2024

A.P. Moller-Maersk (Maersk) announced the opening of the Korosho Express, a unique seasonal maritime service created especially to assist the Tanzanian cashew trade. In order to coincide with the busiest cashew season, the service will launch in late October 2024 and run through February 2025.

July 2024

AgDevCo, a specialised agriculture investor, announced its most recent investment in Cashew Coast, a rapidly expanding cashew nut processing company in Cote d'Ivoire.

May 2023

The Planters snack nut brand debuted three innovative flavors of cashew nuts as traditional American snack.

Sustainable Sourcing Practices

Consumers in the United States cashew market, in increasing numbers, are seeking cashew nuts that are sustainably sourced, resulting in higher demand for fair trade and harvested goods. Businesses like Equal Exchange and Tierra Farm focus on eco-friendly supply chains. They make sure to have little impact on the environment and pay farmers fairly.

Innovative Flavored Cashew Products

The United States cashew market trends and dynamics are further boosted by flavored cashew snacks, including spicy, sweet, or unusual mixes. Companies like Sahale Snacks offer new options such as Thai spiced or honey-roasted cashews. These high-end, value-added products match the growing consumer demand for unique and enjoyable snack experiences.

Growth in Non-Dairy Options

Companies in the United States cashew market are increasingly using these nuts to make plant-based dairy substitutes such as cashew milk, cream, and cheese. Companies like Silk and Miyoko's Creamery take advantage of the smooth texture and mild taste of cashews to produce vegan-friendly items. This shift shows the rising need for dairy-free choices among health-aware and lactose-sensitive consumers in the United States.

Infusion of Cashews in Functional Foods

With its inherent nutritional value through healthy fats and minerals, products containing cashews are now attracting attention as part of functional food. Companies like KIND Snacks and RXBAR are increasingly introducing bars, granolas, and nut mixes infused with cashews. To further enhance their shares in the United States cashew market, these companies are also highlighting the aspects of energy boost and heart health, which appeal to the customers.

United States Cashew Market Opportunities

The increasing acceptability of cashew-based dishes in restaurants and catering services can give companies an opportunity to supply large quantities of cashews. Cashews are used by chefs for making sauces, desserts, and vegan menus, which reflects their versatility and premium appeal. With partnerships with foodservice providers, penetration can be increased in the United States cashew marketplace. Companies can also capitalize on the demand for private-label cashew products through partnerships with online retailers and grocery chains. E-commerce platforms offer opportunities to sell unique, direct-to-consumer products such as organic cashews or customized snack packs.

United States Cashew Market Trends

Consumers seek healthy indulgent snack options. Hence, the demand for premium cashews has increased. Gourmet cashew mixes, chocolate-covered cashews, and artisan-flavored varieties have gained attention from retail and wholesale buyers in the market, fueling further growth in the United States cashew market. Furthermore, the rising awareness of the health advantages of cashews, including heart health, weight management, and immunization, is raising the demand. Cashew is very much in focus in healthy diets including keto and paleo that are continuing to spur growth across both the fitness-focused brands and functional food markets.

United States Cashew Market Restraints

• One of the major challenges in the United States cashew market include supply chain disruptions. These mainly occur due to climate change, trade barriers, and logistical issues.
• Global cashew prices often fluctuate due to factors like harvest yields, demand in other markets, and exchange rate variations, leading to unpredictable pricing and cost pressures companies.

United States Cashew Industry Segmentation

The report titled “United States Cashew Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Type

• Whole Cashew
• Broken Pieces

Market Breakup by Product

• Raw
• Flavored
• Salted

Market Breakup by Distribution Channel

• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Online
• Others

Market Breakup by Region

• New England
• Mideast
• Great Lakes
• Plains
• Southeast
• Southwest
• Rocky Mountain
• Far West

United States Cashew Market Share

Market Insights by Type

The trend for whole cashews is positive, mainly attributed to their growing appeal in high-end snack market segments, along with retail packaging and use in gourmet recipes. Their aesthetic value and versatility place them as top choices for healthy snacks, mixtures, and gift ideas, boosting the United States cashew demand forecast. The broken pieces segment is led by processed food applications, such as cashew-based sauces, dairy alternatives, and baked goods. Besides being cost-effective in nature, the consistency in texture novel in these products make them a favorable choice for manufacturers involved in foodservice and packaged food industries, thereby increasing the demand in bulk supply channels.

Market Analysis by Product

Raw Cashews are gaining preference in the United States cashew market because of greater demand for nearly processed, and natural snacks as consumers become more aware of their diets. Consumers are finding more variety and indulgence in snacks, driving the flavored segment. Chili and barbecue or honey-roasted flavored cashew nuts appeal to consumers with adventurous taste bud. On the other hand, salted cashews have become a staple in the market. These are especially demanded for casual snacking and mixed nuts, as they offer an unbeatable balance of taste and texture.

Analysis by Distribution Channel

As per the United States cashew market analysis, the supermarkets and hypermarkets are dominating the market due to their reach and variety. These retail channels offer packaged cashews, including premium and value-added cashew nuts, with easy access for the consumers. Convenience stores are for on-the-go buyers searching for extra fast snacks like roasted and flavored cashews. Further, the market enjoys rapid demand from the online distribution channels like Amazon and other specialty food sites that have made it easy for consumers to purchase cashew products that are organic, in bulk or of a niche variety.

United States Cashew Market Regional Analysis

New England Cashew Market Opportunities

The New England cashew market is driven by a rising consumer focus on healthy food and functional snack options. With a massive presence of retail stores that sell healthier food options, organic markets and high-income population in urbanized cities such as Boston demand for more cashew-derived products, especially the organic and eco-friendly ones. Consumers’ inclusion of plant-based diets also increases the interest in cashew dairy alternatives such as cashew milk and cheese are further driving market expansion in this region.

Mideast Cashew Market Insights

The cashew market in the Mideast is growing, as the region boasts a strong background of culinary history and an enlarging health-conscience population base. Consumers in major urban centers like Washington, D.C., and Baltimore are increasingly adding these nuts to snacks, as well as the meal recipes. The region's diversifying demographics and rising number of consumers adopting plant-based diets also give rise to increased cashew product sales. Cashew-based snack foods and functional foods that promote wellness and convenience continue to gain appeal in this regional market.

Great Lakes Cashew Market Growth

The Great Lakes cashew market experiences high demand for these nuts and other processed varieties. The increasing demand for flavored and salted cashews is expected to contribute to the market expansion. As major companies adopt advanced scientific machinery for effective cashew processing, product consistency and packaging are expected to improve, thereby enhancing consumer appeal for cashews.

Plains Cashew Market Outlook

The demand for cashews in the Plains region is boosted by increasing healthy eating habits and premium snacking in both urban and rural markets. Consumers in states such as Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma are demanding cashew-based products, including trail mixes, protein bars, and vegan-friendly snacks. With increasing interest in fitness and well-being, cashews are part of diets for nutrition, like heart health and weight control, to enhance their sale in local grocery stores and even online portal sites.

Southeast Cashew Market Dynamics

The Southeast cashew market comprising major states, such as Florida and Georgia, is experiencing major demand caused by a rise in plant-based diets and an increasing number of health-conscious consumers. This region has witnessed a growth in retail and foodservice offerings, such as cashew-based dairy alternatives and value-added cashew snacks. The burgeoning wellness market, including fitness trends and dietary preferences like keto and paleo, has resulted in more cashews in supermarkets, convenience stores, and health food retailers across the Southeast.

Southwest Cashew Market Growth

Consumers in the Southwest cashew market are growing interested in cashew applications across savory and sweet snacks, both in Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. Demand for cashew milk and cashew-based nut butters is continuously growing, with a strong presence in the cities of Austin and Phoenix, where consumer demand for plant-based and sustainable alternatives is very high. The Southwest region's diverse population also continues to build demand for cashews across multiple culinary and snacking applications.

Rocky Mountain Cashew Market Trends

The Rocky Mountain cashew market is currently witnessing heavy demand with states such as Colorado and Utah. The region houses a growing number of sports enthusiast hikers and skiers who are in need of convenient protein-rich healthy snacking options including cashews. Increased adoption of plant-based diets and interest in sustainable food sources has also fueled cashew-based products such as vegan cheeses and cashew milk, whose sales have been on the rise.

Far West Cashew Market Outlook

The Far West cashew market growth is boosted majorly by consumers in California. Due to the increasing preference for plant-based diets, the demand for cashew-based dairy alternatives, like cashew milk and cheese, has gained a lot of momentum in this region. Cashews also feature in numerous healthy snacks such as trail mixes and protein bars. The fact that the region is keen on sustainability and sourcing further increases the sales of cashew products in the retail and online sectors.

Competitive Landscape

The United States cashew market players are increasingly creating new product line extensions with newer cashew-based snacks, plant-based alternatives to dairy products, and source sustainably. To capture health-conscious consumers, United States cashew companies focus on creating premium, organic, and added-value products as well as developing e-commerce routes for wider availability.

Hormel Foods Corporation

Hormel Foods Corporation, also known as Hormel Foods, is a worldwide food processing corporation based in Austin, Minnesota, that was established in 1891. The company’s brand, named Planters, sells high-quality premium cashews to meet the growing demand for various snack and food applications.

Olam International Limited

Olam International Limited, operated from Singapore, was founded in the year 1989. The company mainly takes on sustainable sourcing and processing strategies for both bulk and value-added products for retail as well as food service.

John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.

Established in 1929, headquartered in Elgin, Illinois, John B. Sanfilippo & Son produces a wide range of snack products, including cashews, under brands like Fisher and Orchard Valley Harvest, known for quality and innovation.

Worldpantry.com

Worldpantry.com was established in 1998 and oversees direct-to-consumer eCommerce operations for affiliated food firms. These activities include managing eCommerce websites, responding to customer support requests, and offering prompt delivery. California's San Francisco serves as the company's headquarters.

Other key players in the United States cashew market report are NOW Health Group, Inc., PepsiCo, Inc. (Nut Harvest), Flagstone Foods, Kirkland Signature, among others.