General Characteristics

• Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.; Anacardiaceae) is a tropical evergreen tree. It ranks third in world production of edible tree nuts. World cashew trade picked up in pace only from mid-20th century, and it has gone through various changes in the subsequent years of its development. The importance of each country has improved and declined in the different periods.
• Cashews are traded as cashew kernels in several grades, based on the size, colour and other quality parameters of cashew.

Global Scenario

• The world raw cashew nut (RCN) availability in the recent years has been around 9-13 lakh tons a year. In 2003, the total raw nut production in the world is estimated to be around 12.5 lakh tons from a total area of 35.1 lakh hectares. The productive area is likely to be lower. The average global productivity is around 500 Kg/ha.
• The 2003 production estimates equates to a kernel availability of approx 12.50 million cartons.
• Cashew production takes place mainly in the Central and South American Zone, Asia and Oceanic Zone and African Zones. There are 28 countries now involved in the production of cashew .
• The major producers of raw nuts are India (3-3.5 lakh tons), Brazil (1.8-2 lakh tons), Vietnam (1-8-2 lakh tons), West Africa (2-2.5 lakh tons) and East Africa (1.25-1.7 lakh tons).
• It is estimated that the global trade in cashew kernels is to the extent of 8-9 million cartons (mil ctns).
• The major exporters are India (4.5 mil ctns), Vietnam (2.3 mil ctns) and Brazil (1.75 mil ctns).
• The major importing nations are USA (4.5 mil ctns), Europe (2 mil ctns), China (0.75 mil ctns), West Asia (0.5 mil ctns).

Indian Scenario

• India is the largest producer, processor and exporter of Cashew in the world accounting for over 60 % of the global Cashew Kernel supply. 
• India annually produces 3-3.5 lakh tons of RCN and imports 3.5-4.5 lakh tons of RCN, which together account for an annual supply of 6-8 million cartons. India annually exports 4-4.5 million cartons of cashew kernels. 
• India is the third largest consumer in the world next to the US and EU. It is estimated that India consumes above 3 million cartons. However, the share of the unorganized sector is more in domestic consumption.
• It is estimated that the Indian Cashew industry employs around 300,000 people. The industry thus plays a significant economic role.
• In 2004-05, Kernel exports achieved a record high of Rs.2709.24 crores with 1,26,667 tons shipped against 1,00,828 tons valued at Rs.1,804.43 crores in 2003-04.

Price Influencing Factors

• The annual RCN production and exports from the major RCN exporting nations of Africa. 
• The demand for cashew kernels from the export markets can be estimated, with fair amount of accuracy. However, the domestic demand and processing can be determined only indirectly, as the share of the unorganized sector is more. 
• As cashew is a plantation crop, requiring significant initial investments, the Govt policies with regard to production, processing, exports and imports across all the producing nations have a bearing on prices.