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 Maharashtra
The main cashew districts of Maharashtra are Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Raigad. Maharashtra is India's leading producer of onion, grapes, pomegranate, banana (with Gujarat and Andhra), tur, soybean, cotton and sugarcane, and of Alphonso mango and Nagpur orange. Its mandis at Lasalgaon, Latur, Sangli, Solapur and Vashi are among the best known in India.
Season in Maharashtra
Harvest February–May. Exact arrival dates in Maharashtra depend on local sowing and the monsoon, so check current arrivals before planning purchases.
How Cashew Is Sold in Maharashtra
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. Maharashtra has been a leader in FPO-led marketing and in allowing direct sales outside APMC yards for fruits and vegetables.
Other major markets in Maharashtra
- Lasalgaon and PimpalgaonOnion, tomato, grapesAboutExplore
- LaturTur, soybeanAboutExplore
- Vashi APMC, Navi MumbaiFruits, vegetables, AlphonsoAboutExplore
- SangliTurmeric, raisinsAboutExplore
- SolapurOnion, pomegranate, jowarAboutExplore
- Kalamna, NagpurOrangeAboutExplore
- JalgaonBanana, cottonAboutExplore
State Agencies in Maharashtra
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.
- Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB)Regulated markets, export facilitiesAboutExplore
- MahaFPC (Maharashtra Farmer Producer Companies)FPO procurement and 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 Maharashtra. 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 Maharashtra
New varieties, crop advice and seed for cashew growers in Maharashtra come from the state agricultural universities below and from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each district.
- Mahatma Phule Krishi VidyapeethRahuriAboutExplore
- Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi VidyapeethAkolaAboutExplore
- Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi VidyapeethParbhaniAboutExplore
- Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi VidyapeethDapoliAboutExplore
Cashew in Other States
Andhra Pradesh · Odisha · Kerala · Karnataka · Goa · Tamil Nadu · West Bengal
Related: Cashew – all India · Maharashtra · 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