The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI) , the apex body of exporters of Cashew and allied products from the country set up by Ministry of Commerce and Industry is organising a Three day International Buyer-Seller meet cum Exhibition , Kaju India2019, the Global Cashew Summit in New Delhi from February 13-15, 2019.
“The Sixth edition of The “Kaju India 2019-The Global Cashew Summit is being organised to bring together the entire spectrum of the Global Cashew Industry – cashew kernel buyers, sellers, processors and providers of ancillary & supporting services across the world. The Event will be inaugurated by Mr Suresh Prabhu, Hon Union Minister of Commerce and Industry ” said Dr R.K.Bhoodes, Chairman, The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI)
“As India is the world’s largest producer, processor and consumer of cashew.Special promotion for country’s products under “Indian Cashew” brand is proposed to be launched during the “KAJU INDIA 2019”. The theme of the global event has been rightly chosen as “Indian Cashews – The Superfood” due to its dietary fiber, nutrients and health benefits.” Said Dr Bhoodes.
The Cashew Industry is spread over 17 states of India that earns forex worth Rs. 6,000 Cr to nation’s economy annually. Apart , Cashew industry provides gainful employment to more than 10 Lakhs workers the vast majority of whom are women folks from the socially and economically backward section of society. The economy of many villages in Rural and suburban area is dependent on the cashew Industry.
“Kaju India 2019 is also the curtain raiser for the yearlong celebrations to commemorate the 100th year of Indian Cashew Export. It was in 1920 that India exported its first consignment and introduced cashew kernels as a commodity to the international market. Today, India is the largest producer, processor and consumer of cashew in the world. Indian Cashew is accepted all over the world for its high quality, taste and rich tradition. With growing competition worldwide Indian industry plans to focus on developing highly processed products and exporting products with high value-addition.” He said.
“KAJU INDIA” is the largest cashew related event worldwide where large number of stake holder’s right from cashew farmers, traders, agents, processors, business customers will meet and interact. Brain storming business sessions, live machinery expo, motivational speeches, and presentation of Excellence awards will be the key features of this mega event. About 75 Overseas Delegates from all over the world and 800 Indian Cashew Traders and Exporters are expected to take part in the Kaju India 2019.” He said.
This Mega Event is expected to be a premier gathering of world leaders of the Cashew Industry including Ministers and diplomats from cashew producing / consuming countries. It is so envisaged to strengthen the industry under the “MAKE IN INDIA” scheme and promote ‘INDIAN CASHEW’ brand globally.
The Commodities under the purview of the Cashew Council are cashew kernels and its allied products. The Indian cashew industry exports different grades and products like Cashew Kernels -wholes, broken, splits, butts, Large White Pieces , baby bits ,etc.. Apart from Cashew Kernels, we also export other by products like Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL), Cardanol (purified CNSL) and flavoured Kernels.
Indian Cashew Kernels are well accepted and preferred world over for its quality, taste, tradition and commitment to supply, compared to other origins. India exports cashew kernels to about 80 countries in the world mainly to USA, UAE, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Japan, Belgium, Korea, Spain, France, UK, Kuwait, Singapore , Qatar, Greece, Italy, Iran and Canada.
The Indian Cashew Industry growth is around 17 Lakhs metric tonnes of raw cashew nuts per annum for processing against which around 9 lakhs of metric tonnes is imported mainly from African Countries. The Indian production of raw cashew is on increase and has reached 817,000 metric tonnes during 2017-18. Specific programmes are being implemented by the Agriculture Ministry, to augment the production of raw cashew nuts in India. There is need to attain self-sufficiency in the raw cashew nuts production.
India’s production of raw cashew nuts during 2017-18 had increased to an all-time high of 817,000 tonnes . The major issue faced by them is increasing competition in the global market from exporters in countries like Vietnam, Brazil and African Countries.
Indian exporters exported around 84,352 tonnes of cashew kernels in 2017-18, with a 2.49 per cent increase from 82,302 tonnes of exports during the previous financial year. In value terms, the exports went up almost 18 per cent to $911 million, from $770.65 million registered during the previous financial year.
The lack of modernisation and high wages are making Indian exports uncompetitive as the cost of processing is lower in other exporting countries. The import duty, coupled with these high costs, has a negative impact on the industry, say experts.
CEPCI has said that apart from these issues, its request to revise Minimum Import Price (MIP) on cashew kernels and allied products is also under process.
The surge in import of low quality finished and semi finished cashew kernels from competing countries using the loops in the existing policy and also using unfair methods is the most serious threat to the Cashew processors .These imports of finished and semi-finished cashew kernels are to be restricted , else the industry will find it difficult to survive.
Now, while we celebrate the 100th year of the journey of Exports, we have specific plans to take the Indian Cashew Industry to the premier positions and glory of the past. Branding of Indian Cashew and special promotion of Indian Cashew at consumer levels in the overseas market , taking India to self-sufficiency levels in raw cashew productions, Process automation and Mechanisation in processing, introduction of uniform customs and practices in Cashew trade, E–commerce and E-marketing in cashew industry, Research and Development in processing and development of value added products of cashew etc., are some of the specific programs envisaged to be implemented during the period.
