INDIAN CASHEW INDUSTRY AT A GLANCE IN 2022 - 2023
India is one of the largest cashew-producing countries in the world. The cashew industry in India employs more than 10 lakh people. The cultivation of cashew in India covers a total of 0.7 million hectares of land, and the country produces over 0.8 million tonnes (MT) annually.
In 2022, India's cashew nut production went to 0.77 million tonnes (MT). In India cashew is mainly grown in Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Orissa, West Bengal, and some parts of the North-Eastern region. Maharashtra stands first in annual cashew nut production during 2022 at 0.20 million tonnes (MT).
India is also known as a pioneer in cashew processing. The cashew processing industry was earlier concentrated in Kollam (Kerala), Mangalore (Karnataka), Goa, and Vettapalam (Andhra Pradesh), but now it is spread across many states of India. In recent times, India has emerged as the global processing hub for the cashew industry.
Cashew ExportsIndia is the largest cashew exporter, with more than 15% of the world's export share .Exports of cashew from India in FY23 stood at US$ 356 million. India primarily exports Cashew Kernels and very small quantities of Cashewnut shell liquid.
India exports cashews to over 60 countries across the world. The key export destinations are UAE, Japan, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, the USA, the UK, Canada, France, Israel, and Italy. UAE is the largest importer of Indian cashews, valued at US$ 131.5 million, accounting for 29% of overall exports during 2022 as compared to US$ 98.5 million in the previous year.
Japan and Netherlands are among the top 3 importers of Indian cashews, with a share of exports at 13% and 9%, respectively. India's cashew exports in FY22 to Japan and Netherlands are valued at US$ 87.3 million and US$ 70.2 million, respectively. Vietnam, a key importer of Indian cashews, has consistently grown in imports of India's cashew at a CAGR of 7% from 2017 to 2022.