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 Kerala
The main cashew districts of Kerala are Kannur, Kasaragod, Kollam. Kerala is India's leading producer of natural rubber and coconut, and the traditional home of the spice trade. It grows banana (including Nendran), cashew, arecanut, ginger, rice in Kuttanad and Palakkad, and has a long history of cashew processing in Kollam.
Season in Kerala
Harvest February–May. Exact arrival dates in Kerala depend on local sowing and the monsoon, so check current arrivals before planning purchases.
How Cashew Is Sold in Kerala
Kerala has no APMC Act. Produce is sold through private traders, cooperative societies and specialised boards for rubber, coconut and spices. Supplyco buys paddy from farmers.
Key markets for Cashew in Kerala
Other major markets in Kerala
State Agencies in Kerala
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.
- Supplyco (Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation)Paddy procurementAboutExplore
- Rubber BoardKottayamAboutExplore
- Coconut Development BoardKochiAboutExplore
- KERAFEDCoconut oil cooperativeAboutExplore
- Spices Board IndiaKochiAboutExplore
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 Kerala. 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 Kerala
New varieties, crop advice and seed for cashew growers in Kerala come from the state agricultural universities below and from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each district.
Cashew in Other States
Maharashtra · Andhra Pradesh · Odisha · Karnataka · Goa · Tamil Nadu · West Bengal
Related: Cashew – all India · Kerala · 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