The Cashew (Anacardium Occidentale) was introduced in India by the Portuguese in 16th Century. Over the years, cashew became a crop with high economic value and attained the status of an export–oriented commodity, earning considerable foreign exchange for the country. India exports cashew kernels to over 60 countries. Its major markets are US, Japan, Spain, France, Germany, UK as well as Middle East countries such as UAE and Saudi Arabia. The cashew industry of Kerala is mainly concentrated in Kollam district.
The annual Raw Cashew Nuts requirement of the State is about 8,00,000 tonnes; whereas State’s domestic production is 84,000 tonnes only. The State therefore meets the major portion of its Raw Cashew Nuts requirement through imports. Kerala Cashew Board Limited was incorporated mainly with the objective of procuring Raw Cashew Nuts at most competitive prices adhering to open and transparent procedures.
Export of Cashew Kernel and import of Raw Cashew Nuts in India.
Year | Cashew Kernel Export | Raw Cashew Nut Import | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Quantity (MT) | Value (Rs. in crore) |
Quantity (MT) | Value (Rs. in crore) |
|
2017-18 | 84,353 | 5,870.97 | 6,49,050 | 8,850.03 |
2016-17 | 82,302 | 5,168.78 | 7,70,446 | 8,839.42 |
2015-16 | 96,346 | 4,952.12 | 9,58,339 | 8,561.01 |
2014-15 | 1,18,952 | 5,432.85 | 9,39,912 | 6,570.93 |
2013-14 | 1,14,791 | 5,058.73 | 7,71,356 | 4,563.99 |
2012-13 | 1,00,105 | 4,067.21 | 8,92,160 | 5,331.12 |
2011-12 | 1,31,760 | 4,390.68 | 8,09,371 | 5,337.76 |
2010-11 | 1,05,755 | 2,819.39 | 5,29,370 | 2,649.56 |
Source: Directorate of Cashew and Cocoa
Area of Cultivation and Quantity of Production of Cashew in India
SL No | Name of State | Area of Cultivation | Quantity of Production | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ha ( in '000 ) | in % | MT ( in '000 ) | in % | ||
1 | Kerala | 92.813 | 8.74 | 88.180 | 10.79 |
2 | Karnataka | 129.065 | 12.15 | 89.447 | 10.95 |
3 | Goa | 58.250 | 5.48 | 34.259 | 4.19 |
4 | Maharashtra | 191.450 | 18.03 | 269.440 | 32.98 |
5 | Tamil Nadu | 142.275 | 13.40 | 71.030 | 8.69 |
6 | Andhra Pradesh | 186.781 | 17.59 | 116.915 | 14.31 |
7 | Odisha | 193.988 | 18.27 | 98.585 | 12.07 |
8 | West Bengal | 11.360 | 1.07 | 12.960 | 1.59 |
9 | Jharkhand | 14.830 | 1.40 | 6.130 | 0.75 |
10 | Chhattisgarh | 13.700 | 1.29 | 9.830 | 1.20 |
11 | Gujarat | 7.250 | 0.68 | 6.500 | 0.80 |
12 | Puthucherry | 5.000 | 0.47 | 2.160 | 0.26 |
13 | Assam | 1.050 | 0.10 | 1.130 | 0.14 |
14 | Tripura | 4.250 | 0.40 | 3.450 | 0.42 |
15 | Meghalaya | 8.580 | 0.81 | 6.120 | 0.75 |
16 | Manipur | 0.900 | 0.08 | 0.324 | 0.04 |
17 | Nagaland | 0.500 | 0.05 | 0.540 | 0.07 |
Total | 1062.042 | 100 | 817.000 | 100 |
Source: Directorate of Cashew and Cocoa