The production of raw cashew nuts in India during 2017-18 has increased to all-time high at 8.17 lakh metric tonne and registered growth of 4% compared to previous production of 7.79 lakh metric tonne and 21 % increase compared to 2015-16 production of 6.70 lakh metric tonne.
However, due to a shortage of sufficient quantity of raw cashew nut and a higher price for raw cashew nut in the international market, it is reported that the cashew industry is facing the prospect of a demand-supply gap, as the total requirement of raw cashew nut is estimated at 17 lakh metric tonne.
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With regard to steps for increasing production of raw cashew nut, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture and Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojana has drawn up strategies to increase domestic production by massive area expansion of cashew and replacing of senile cashew plantations with high yielding varieties in traditional and non-traditional states.
The details of quantum of cashew production, export and import of raw cashew in the country during the last five years is given below: –
Production of Raw Cashew Nut
| Year | Production of Raw Cashewnut (Lakh MT) |
| 2013-14 | 7.36 |
| 2014-15 | 7.25 |
| 2015-16 | 6.70 |
| 2016-17 | 7.79 |
| 2017-18 | 8.17 |
{Source: Directorate of Cashewnut & Cocoa Development (DCCD)}
India’s Export and Import of CASHEW NUTS FRESH/DRIED IN SHELL (ITCHS Code 080131)
| Export | Import | |||
| Year | Quantity (in Ton) | Value (in Million USD) | Quantity (in Ton) | Value (in Million USD) |
| 2013-14 | 3,900.77 | 4.03 | 776334 | 773.81 |
| 2014-15 | 15,637.75 | 21.79 | 933190 | 1087.16 |
| 2015-16 | 7,014.40 | 11.34 | 961665 | 1339.34 |
| 2016-17 | 9,773.37 | 19.45 | 774513 | 1346.58 |
| 2017-18* | 5,542.90 | 10.34 | 654024 | 1418.63 |
{Source: Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence & Statistics (DGCI&S) * Figures of 2017-18 are provisional only}
This information was given by the Minister of State of Commerce and Industry, C. R. Chaudhary, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on 30th July.
