To ensure cashew industry’s sustainability and meet future challenges, the producer nations have emphasised the need to join hands and exchange information for co-operation and preventing competition.

“India, Vietnam and Brazil — the largest producers, processors and exporters of cashew — should co-operate and learn from each other for further growth. There is a need for a consensus on pricing, quality control methods, commercial contract terms as well as collecting and publishing reliable data,” said Adama Coulibaly, Director General of Cotton and Cashew council, Ivory Coast, at the international buyer-seller meet-cum-exhibition organised as part of Kaju India 2019.

He pointed out that cashew exporting and processing countries should control misinformation and spread of rumours on social media over cashew consumption. To explore new markets, these countries should carry out aggressive campaigns for the promotion of cashew products. He also invited Indian cashew processors to set up processing units in Ivory Coast.

Dang Hoang Glang, Vice-President and General Secretary of Vietnam Cashew Association, (Vinaca) said his country is the largest processor and exporter of cashewnuts in the world by exporting 352,205 tonnes, surpassing India and Brazil.

Due to cashew price fluctuations worldwide, it was decided not to buy and store cashew this year, he said.

Bob Bauer, President, Association of Food Industries, USA, asked cashew exporters to gear up for the ensuing food quality and safety regulations in the US, Canada and Europe.

India is the largest producer, processor and consumer of cashew. With growing competition, the Indian industry plans to focus on developing highly processed products and exporting products with high value-addition, RK Bhoodes, Chairman, Cashew Export Promotion Council of India, said.

Indiaexported 84,352 tonnes of cashew kernels in 2017-18 compared to 82,302 tonnes in the previous year. In value terms, the exports posted an 18-per cent growth fetching $911 million from $770.65 million. The country produced around 3.5 lakh tonnes of cashew kernels. The production and import of raw cashew is around 8 lakh tonnes and 9 lakh tonnes respectively.

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