The cashew capital of the country, Kollam, in Kerala, will host the second Kaju India 2011 buyer-seller meet during February 17–19.

The meet, organised by the Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPC), is expected to be attended by 250 Indian cashew kernel exporters and international cashew kernel buyers, according to CEPC Chairman, Mr Shahal Hassan Musaliar.

“Kollam has been made the venue of this meet because it has been the nucleus of Indian cashew industry for over a century and the city is known for cashew,” he told Business Line . “India is not only a top exporter but also a major consumer of cashew kernels in the world,” he added.

Addressing a press conference to announce the programme, Mr Musaliar said that representatives of overseas cashew buyers, salters, retailers as well as brokers, quality experts, consultants, exporters and other supporting service providers will attend the meet.

The event will comprise technical sessions which will act as a platform to understand the changing expectations of international cashew buyers and how Indian exporters should develop their strategies to meet international specification requirements.

Chinese delegates

For the first time, delegates from China would attend the meet, Mr Hari Krishnan Nair, Vice-Chairman, CEPC, said. He said that China is a potential market for Indian cashew kernel and “we have to explore this market, which is currently catered to by Vietnam”.

Another significant factor is that the Head of the Scientific Committee, International Nut and Dried Fruits Council (INC), Spain would present a paper on “Opportunities for promotion of Cashew: Health and Wellness”, Mr Pratap Nair, Convener, Kaju India 2011, said. “The meet is expected to generate greater interest in the wake of stiff competition rendered by Vietnam and Brazil in the global cashew kernel trade”, Mr Musaliar said.

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