India depends greatly on cashew imports to satisfy national demand. It experiences subtropical climate in the north and a tropical climate in the center-south which is favorable to production of cashew nuts. Despite that, it does not produce enough for the locals.
A fairly large number of cashews sold in India is found in supermarkets. The biggest number of consumers in the country is found in the cities of Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru. Smaller retail outlets, wholesale markets and specialty food stores around India trade in smaller quantities of cashews.
Cashew Nuts Price in India
Imports of cashews in India were worth about 2 billion US Dollars in 2022. Compared to the previous year, it is an increase of 65%. The sharpest climb was from 2021 to 2022 when the import value rose from about 1 billion US Dollars to around 2 billion US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of cashews in India between 2013 and 2022.
Cashew Nut Price per kg in India
The cost of a kilo of cashews in India can be between 110 Indian Rupees (U1.30 dollars) and 150 Indian Rupees (US1.81 dollars). This is based on the average import price per kg. This wholesale price has gone as high as 165 Indian Rupees (US2 dollars) in the recent past.
Retail prices of shelled cashews differ among traders. Indians can buy imported cashews for most part of the year because they are sourced from several nations. Market timing also determines the price range as late season cashews get a premium over early season cashews.
Whole cashew kernels are more valuable than broken pieces. While those that are white or pale ivory in color are preferred to than coloured or burnt ones. Plain or salted cashews make up the majority of processed cashews.
Cashew in India
India brings in more in-shell cashews than shelled cashews. A massive amount comes from cashew producing countries in Africa. In view of the fact that India is a processing hub for cashews bound for overseas markets, the Asian country processes both its own produce and that from other countries.
Cashew imports have to first go through the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The government of India sets the requirements for importers of food products like cashews through the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Cans or polythene bags of cashews must be labeled according to guidelines determined by SFDA. Bilingual language, which includes Indian, is required on the label. Stick-on labels with country of origin are widely used on imported cashews.
Labels must include the following information:
- Name of product and its product category
- Name and address of producer and importer
- Brand or trademark
- Country of origin
- Type of cashew and grade
- Storage instructions and temperature requirements
- Net weight in grams or kilograms and number of cashews per can or polythene bag
- Nutritional information
- Shelf life
- Date of packing
Cashew Nuts India
Many Indians like eating cashew kernels. Getting to the edible part of a cashew nut is quite a process. Besides a hard outer shell and another thin skin, a kernel is covered by cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). CNSL is a dark brown liquid that causes skin irritation.
The five steps involved in extracting a cashew kernel are:
- Shelling: removal of the outer shell and CNSL
- Peeling: removal of the testa
- Grading: into different sizes and colours according to standard grading
- Drying or humidifying: to a final moisture content of 5%
- Packing: into airtight bags depending on the scale of the operation