About Cashew
India grows raw cashew along its coasts, imports more from Africa, and processes it into kernels in Kollam, Mangaluru, Panruti and Palasa.
Where Cashew Is Grown in Karnataka
The main cashew districts of Karnataka are Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada. Karnataka is India's leading producer of ragi, coffee, arecanut and silk, and a top producer of maize, tur, tomato, onion, flowers, grapes, pomegranate and coconut. Bengaluru is the centre of India's flower trade, and Davangere, Kalaburagi, Kolar and Byadgi host major crop markets.
Season in Karnataka
Harvest February–May. Exact arrival dates in Karnataka depend on local sowing and the monsoon, so check current arrivals before planning purchases.
How Cashew Is Sold in Karnataka
Farm produce is sold through regulated APMC market yards under the state's agricultural produce marketing law, run by the state agricultural marketing board, with many yards linked to eNAM. Karnataka was one of the first states to run a unified electronic market platform across its APMCs.
Other major markets in Karnataka
- Yeshwanthpur APMC, BengaluruOnion, potato, grainsAboutExplore
- K.R. Market and IFAB, BengaluruFlowersAboutExplore
- DavangereMaizeAboutExplore
- KalaburagiTurAboutExplore
- KolarTomatoAboutExplore
- ShivamoggaArecanutAboutExplore
- ByadgiChilliAboutExplore
State Agencies in Karnataka
Cashew has no minimum support price, so it is bought almost entirely by private traders, processors and exporters. State marketing bodies regulate the markets and support farmer producer organisations.
- Karnataka State Agricultural Marketing BoardRegulated marketsAboutExplore
- Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies CorporationRagi and paddy procurementAboutExplore
- CAMPCO and arecanut cooperativesArecanut marketingAboutExplore
Quality and Price Notes
Whole white kernels are graded by the number of kernels per pound: W180 (the largest, "king of cashews"), W210, W240, W320 (the most traded) and W450. Splits (S), butts (B), pieces (LWP, SWP) and scorched grades (SW) follow. Buyers check moisture, colour, broken percentage and freedom from insects.
Indian farms do not grow enough raw nuts for the processing industry, so processors import RCN from Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Benin, Tanzania and other countries. RCN prices, the "outturn" (kernel yield per 80 kg bag), the dollar exchange rate and competition from Vietnamese processors decide profits. Domestic demand for kernels has grown so much that India now consumes most of what it processes.
Buyers, Processors and Exporters
These companies and bodies buy, process or export cashew across India, including from Karnataka. Tap a name for details.
- Olam Agri India Pvt LtdCashew sourcing and processingAboutExplore
- Vijayalaxmi Cashew CompanyKollam · cashew exporterAboutExplore
- Kalbavi CashewsMangaluruAboutExplore
- Achal CashewsMangaluruAboutExplore
- Cashew Export Promotion Council of IndiaKollamAboutExplore
Research and Advice in Karnataka
New varieties, crop advice and seed for cashew growers in Karnataka come from the state agricultural universities below and from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each district.
- University of Agricultural Sciences, BengaluruBengaluruAboutExplore
- University of Agricultural Sciences, DharwadDharwadAboutExplore
- University of Horticultural SciencesBagalkotAboutExplore
Cashew in Other States
Maharashtra · Andhra Pradesh · Odisha · Kerala · Goa · Tamil Nadu · West Bengal
Related: Cashew – all India · Karnataka · All crops
Names are listed for reference only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation. The About and Explore buttons open Google in a new tab; results there are generated by Google and third parties, not by this site. Prices, MSP, export rules and schemes change often. Nothing here is financial, legal or purchasing advice. Full disclaimer