The Hindu Business Line : Aid for Mangalore-based company to market organic cashew in EU

Mangalore May 1 The Netherlands-based CBI (Centre for the promotion of imports from developing countries) has selected Achal Industries, the cashew manufacturer and exporter from Mangalore, for a four-year programme on marketing of organic cashews and development of cashew as an ingredient, in European Union. Established in 1971, CBI is an agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Netherlands.

Mr G. Giridhar Prabhu, Proprietor of Achal Industries, told Business Line that the programme was meant for producers and exporters who are eager to expand their export activities in the EU.

Asked about the advantages of the four-year programme, Mr Prabhu said the exporter could learn more about the European market. The exporter can get consultancy from the governmental agency in Europe, which, otherwise is not accessible.

`Virtual passport'

Terming the European market as unique compared to other export markets, he said the experience gained through such programmes was like a "virtual passport" for getting orders from Europe. The programme helps in understanding the entire working of the European market, which has a huge potential to be explored.

Achal, which has experience in supplying to the Indian ingredient market, has the credit for development of innovative applications as well as improvement in conventional applications for cashew kernels, especially brokens. The company has worked with ice cream and sweet manufacturers, liquor, and food manufacturers in various applications.

Under the programme, the company intends to carry this experience into Europe and there are prospects of introducing cashews in breakfast cereals, cookies, confectionary, chocolates, snack bars and the like.

Experience gained in the programme will also be shared with other manufacturers in the Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI) for meeting the Vision 2020 goals.

To double turnover

Mr Prabhu said his company wanted to double its turnover in the next four years with this exposure.

Achal is a pioneer in organic cashews as well as the first ISO 22000 certified cashew industry in the world.

As part of the programme, Mr M.N. Pai, General Manager of Achal Industries, will attend a seminar at Rotterdam, The Netherlands, from May 2 to 11.

Achal has a good marketing base in Europe with Catz International BV, Rotterdam, for convenience to cater to all possible European markets, he added.