Date:03/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/03/stories/2008100357131700.htm

Business

Cashew export earnings touch Rs. 2,301 crore

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The cashew industry earned Rs. 2,301 crore (US$572 million) during the last financial year exporting cashew kernel, cashew nut shell liquid and allied products, said P. Bharathan Pillai, Chairman of the Cashew Export Promotion Council at the 53rd annual general meeting of the Council on Tuesday.

Among the agricultural commodities, cashew stood fifth in terms of export earnings in the country and accounted for 0.35 per cent of the export earnings.

The United States, the Netherlands, UAE and Japan were the major buyers of cashew from India, said Mr. Pillai.

Exports to the U.S. formed 38.29 per cent, to European zone 30.70 per cent, West Asia and Africa 21.25 per cent, South East and Far East zone 6.90 per cent and Oceanic Zone 2.86 per cent.

Production of raw cashew nuts in Indian stood at 6.65 tonnes during the last financial year as per figures from the Directorate of Cashew and Cocoa Development.