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 West Bengal
The main cashew districts of West Bengal are Purba Medinipur, Bankura. West Bengal is among India's largest rice producers and its biggest grower of jute and vegetables. It is also a major producer of potato, mustard, masoor, sesame, tuberose, marigold, Malda mangoes, litchi and Darjeeling tea.
Season in West Bengal
Harvest February–May. Exact arrival dates in West Bengal depend on local sowing and the monsoon, so check current arrivals before planning purchases.
How Cashew Is Sold in West Bengal
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. Paddy is bought through the state's procurement centres and cooperative societies.
Other major markets in West Bengal
- Mullick Ghat, KolkataFlowersAboutExplore
- Koley Market, KolkataVegetablesAboutExplore
- Posta Bazar, KolkataPulses, grainsAboutExplore
- Hooghly (Tarakeswar, Singur)PotatoAboutExplore
- MaldaMangoAboutExplore
State Agencies in West Bengal
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.
- West Bengal State Agricultural Marketing BoardRegulated marketsAboutExplore
- West Bengal Food and Supplies DepartmentPaddy procurementAboutExplore
- Jute Corporation of IndiaKolkata · raw jute buyingAboutExplore
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 West Bengal. 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 West Bengal
New varieties, crop advice and seed for cashew growers in West Bengal come from the state agricultural universities below and from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each district.
- Bidhan Chandra Krishi ViswavidyalayaMohanpur, NadiaAboutExplore
- Uttar Banga Krishi ViswavidyalayaCooch BeharAboutExplore
Cashew in Other States
Maharashtra · Andhra Pradesh · Odisha · Kerala · Karnataka · Goa · Tamil Nadu
Related: Cashew – all India · West Bengal · 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