Cashew exports have fallen by a massive 50 per cent in the last 15 years

30-May-2025 05:26 PM

Mangalore. Indian processed cashew exports have declined sharply over the past 15 years due to factors such as intense competition from other supplier countries like Vietnam, high domestic processing costs, and growing reliance on imported raw cashew nuts. Rising domestic demand and consumption have also contributed to the reduced availability of cashew for export.

Cashew exports from India had reached a peak of 1.31 lakh tonnes in the financial year 2011-12, but since then, volumes have dropped by nearly half.

According to industry analysts, export revenue during 2023-24 fell to $339.21 million, the lowest in the past seven years.

In the financial year 2022-23, India exported 59,581 tonnes of cashew, which was reportedly the lowest in two decades.

The President of the Nuts and Dry Fruits Council of India noted that current exports are down to around 45,000 tonnes, marking a recent low.

A significant volume of raw cashew is imported to India from African countries. However, with new processing units being set up in those regions, the availability of raw cashew for export to India has decreased.

Vietnam, like India, also imports large quantities of raw cashew from Africa, leading to sharp and sometimes unsustainable price increases in exporting countries.

Over the last decade, there has been a consistent drop in the export of Indian processed cashew. In 2004-05, India exported around 1.27 lakh tonnes, which declined to approximately 60,000 tonnes in 2022-23. However, export earnings increased significantly from Rs 447.80 crore in 1990-91 to Rs 3,890.25 crore in 2019-20.

India remains one of the top global producers and exporters of cashew, as well as the largest consumer. After fulfilling domestic demand, only a limited quantity is left for export.