GLOBAL CASHEW NUTS INDUSTRY:

Cashew nuts are edible kidney-shaped nuts that are roasted and shelled before consumption. They are high in oil and protein. The oil collected from the shells is used in the manufacture of polymers as a lubricant. Cashews have a higher fibre content than peanuts, and they aid weight growth by enhancing digestive function. To address the need for such high-value nutrition, snack producers have introduced a variety of cashew-based snacks, including ready-to-drink cashew milk, which works as a lactose-free milk substitute. Cashew nut consumption is on the rise in the European region, thanks to rising health consciousness among consumers. Cashew nuts are increasingly being used as an ingredient in spreads and snack bars (particularly organic), which is increasing overall cashew consumption.

VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS FROM CASHEW:

The cashew nut industry produces cashew apples, which are a valuable by-product. Few people realise that the 573,000 MT of cashew apples discarded after harvesting the nuts are significantly more nutritious than many fruits and would be worth more money if processed into value-added goods such as cashew apple juice, cashew apple jelly, and cashew apple jam utilising osmotic dehydration. This effort has apparent health benefits to society, as well as economic potential for farmers, entrepreneurs, and consumers to fulfil rising worldwide demand, maintain market share, and remain ahead of the quickly expanding competition in the worldwide market.

INDIA MARKET OUTLOOK:

Cashew consumption in India is 1.6 million metric tonnes, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4%. India is the largest cashew-growing country in Asia-Pacific, producing 550,000 metric tonnes of raw cashew nut (RCN) every year. Cashew is farmed in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra in the peninsula, as well as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Orissa on the east coast. Kerala is the most productive of these states. In the last four years, India has been the leading exporter of shelled cashews, accounting for more than 15% of worldwide exports. Because of the rising demand for cashews around the world, India’s exports are expanding, and the Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI) has requested the Union government to spend sufficient funding and implement a few programmes to boost cashew output. This aspect is assisting in the expansion of cashew producing capacity in India. Because the cashew business in India is primarily export-oriented, there is tremendous room for expansion. 

GLOBAL MARKET OUTLOOK:

The global cashew nut market is expected to increase at a CAGR of 4.6 percent over the next five years. Asian countries contributed the second-largest share of the market. Vietnam’s export presence has grown to 85 countries in the recent decade. Cashew nuts are most commonly imported from the United States, China, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Growing demand for convenience foods and ready-to-eat snacks are boosting the worldwide Cashew Nuts market. The availability of varied flavours such as butter, pepper, smokey, and salted has boosted organic cashew nut sales. Consumers are increasingly adopting a vegan diet and choosing nutritious meat and dairy substitutes. Other variables contributing to the high rate of growth include an increase in the number of working women, an increase in per-capita health expenditure, growing urbanisation, and the emergence of the middle class. The existence of many natural components in cashew nuts, together with increased awareness of their health advantages, is likely to propel this market.

TOP PLAYERS WORLDWIDE:

• A. Nutts
• AMES Foods Processors India Private Ltd.
• Amith Cashew Industries
• AMK Exports
• Touchstone Cashew
• Nurture Tree Crunchy Cashews
• Kothari’s Royal Organic Cashews