Yes. India is one of the world's largest processors of cashew and a major exporter of cashew kernels. Kollam in Kerala is the traditional processing centre, and there are large clusters in coastal Karnataka, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha.
India also eats a lot of cashew at home, and it imports a large share of its raw nuts, mainly from Africa. Vietnam is now the largest exporter of kernels, so Indian processors compete on grade, taste and service.
Where the raw nuts come from
Cashew trees grow mainly along India's west and east coasts, in states such as Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Karnataka, Kerala and Goa. The Indian harvest runs roughly February to May. Domestic raw nuts are not enough for the processing industry, so processors import raw cashew nuts from West and East African countries and elsewhere.
Raw nut prices move with the African crops, freight and currency, so Indian kernel prices follow them closely. This means a kernel packed in India may come from Indian or African raw nuts. The difference is covered in Indian and African-origin cashews processed in India.
How cashews are processed
- Drying and storing raw nuts in shell.
- Steam cooking or roasting to make the shell brittle.
- Shelling, by hand or by machine, to remove the kernel without breaking it.
- Drying the kernels, traditionally in heated chambers.
- Peeling the thin testa (skin) off the kernel.
- Grading by size, colour and wholeness into grades such as W240 or W320.
- Packing, traditionally in tins or vacuum pouches flushed with carbon dioxide or nitrogen.
Who regulates and promotes the trade
The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India, based in Kollam, promotes exports and issues registration to cashew exporters. Exporters also need an IEC and an FSSAI licence. Ask your supplier for these, and check them.
Kernels are usually shipped in cartons holding tins or vacuum pouches. Ask for the pack format early, because it affects shelf life, container loading and your own handling.
Indian processors commonly grade to well-known trade specifications, including the grade names used in the US and EU. What the grades mean is explained in cashew grades like W180, W240 and W320.
What to check in a cashew processor
- Whether they process themselves or buy kernels from smaller units and repack.
- Food safety certification such as BRCGS or FSSC 22000 for manufacturer and retail buyers.
- Foreign body controls: metal detection, colour sorting and hand inspection.
- Moisture and storage control, since kernels pick up moisture and go soft.
- Microbiology, aflatoxin and pest control records.
- Packing method and the shelf life they can support.
How we help
Cashew is processed mostly outside Gujarat, so we arrange a plant visit before you book and confirm it shells and grades itself. We test samples at an NABL-accredited lab and inspect the grade and packing at loading. Ask for a free sourcing review.