Thursday, April 9, 2015
Domestic cashew market is growing faster than exports
Cashew kernel market shows some buoyancy on tight supplies
State govt urged to formulate cashew policy
For cashew exporters, foreign trade policy is a dampener
Karnataka cashew industry unhappy over foreign trade policy
Kerala’s shortcut to cashew imports upsets trade unions
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Palasa cashew processing capacity doubles
Cashew processing capacity at Palasa in Srikakulam district, has more than doubled over the last three years on the back new plants and mechanisation of the existing ones.
As of now, there are 250 units operating in Palasa and Kasibugga from around 210 processing units some three years ago. Besides, about 65 per cent of the existing units had become fully automated leading to an increase in the capacity, said Malla Srinivasa Rao, president, Palasa Cashew Manufacturers Association.
The processing capacity has increased to 500-550 tonne a day from about 250 tonne three years ago, he added. Each unit has seen an investment of Rs 15-20 lakh in mechanisation. For instance, a labour used to process 10 kg nuts in 8 hours earlier, but post mechanisation, about 100 kg nuts could be processed in just one hour. The news ones are small and medium scale units, he said.
Meanwhile, the Palasa Cashew Manufacturers Association has decided to stop processing operations from April 1 as the labourers are demanding a wage hike, Rao said.
According to him, in April last year, the wage was increased 32 per cent for women workers and 20 per cent for men. Of the total 10,000 direct employees in the Palasa cashew industry around 90 per cent comprises women workers and they get around Rs 300 a day. “The workers are now demanding a 75 per cent hike for the next two years. This is not agreeable to our association, hence we have decided to close the units from April 1 till the new wages are finalised,” he added.
- business-standard.com
Monday, March 16, 2015
MP promises boost to cashew sector
Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament Nalin Kumar Kateel on Sunday said he was aware of the problems being faced by the cashew industry and promised to render “all possible help”.
Speaking after inaugurating the platinum jubilee celebrations of Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers’ Association here, Mr. Kateel urged the association office bearers to visit New Delhi for discussions with the Ministries concerned.
He said reduction in cashew production, which is a good source of foreign exchange to the country, was a matter of concern and all should work towards addressing problems being faced by the industry.
Association president B. Rahul Kamath urged the government to give priority to value addition to cashew apple to encourage cultivation of cashew nut trees. Platinum Jubilee celebration committee chairman Walter D’Souza submitted a memorandum to MLC Ivan D’Souza urging the government to come out with a Cashew Policy to promote the cultivation of the crop.
The association would distribute more than 60,000 cashew saplings to farmers across the State before June 23 to encourage cultivation, Mr. D’Souza said.
- The Hindu
‘Promote use of cashew apple’
4 lakh tonnes of the fruit being wasted in a year in State
Cashew manufacturers on Saturday sought the State government’s help for farmers to make use of cashew apple that is being wasted in a large quantity.
At the inauguration of platinum jubilee of the Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers Association (KCMA) here, president of the celebration committee Walter D’Souza urged Minister for Health U.T. Khader to ensure that farmers growing cashew realised the commercial value of the apple.
Recently, KCMA said that about 4 lakh tonnes of cashew apple was being wasted in a year in Karnataka and the association had decided to focus on ensuring that the pulp containing nutrients is put to good use. It suggests that its vast potential could be harnessed in multiple ways such as making juice out of it – a project that can be given to self help groups – and growers who lacked knowledge about this need to be educated.
Reflecting on the “sparkling history” of KSMA, Mr. D’Souza said the cashew industry employed 50,000 people, mostly women, and the turnover had gone from Rs. 12 crore in 1955 to Rs. 2,400 crore now – a 200-times growth. The exports had grown 100 times from Rs. 8 crore in 1955 to Rs. 800 crore now.
The industry, which used to rely on manual processes of breaking the nuts, had fully mechanised it. He said the KCMA would show that cashew could be affordable to the middle class.
Mr. Khader urged the KCMA to convince people about its stated health benefits and promote it on the lines of the promotions for egg as a healthy product. The Minister said the government would stand by the association.
- The Hindu
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Cashew farmers seek relief
Cadre of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) staged a demonstration in front of the Revenue Divisional Office at Udayarpalayam on Tuesday demanding compensation for cashew farmers who have been affected by drought-like conditions.
S. S. Sivasankar, Kunnam MLA and district secretary of DMK, V.K.Rajendran, Convenor, party’s farmers wing of the district, and N.R.Ramadorai, convenor of the party’s farm labourers wing, participated in the agitation.
Mr. Sivasankar said that cashew farmers have been affected due to drought-like condition. Though relief has been given to other crops like groundnut, cashew farmers have been left out. He said that a cashew farmer of Irumbulikurichi had committed suicide last year unable to bear debt burden.
Cashew is a major crop raised in Ariyalur district in Andimandam, Senthurai and Jayamkondam blocks and parts of Tha.Pazhur. Normally, farmers harvest five to nine bags (80 kg) an acre as yield. One kg of cashew nut costs Rs. 500 a kg. Cashew nut along with the shell costs Rs. 105 a kg. But farmers have not been able make a good harvest for the past three years. “Trees did not even bloom due to the drought,” he added.
The Hindu
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Raw cashew nut prices hit all-time high by crossing Rs 100 per kg mark
Cashew farmers are all smiles as raw nut prices have touched Rs 102 a kg in select markets of Goa and Kerala. Traders say this is the highest ever season opening price in the history of the trade.
Around the same time last year, raw cashew nut prices had touched Rs 95 a kg and then dropped to Rs 83 a kg. The trigger for the steep spike in prices this year is short supply. In Kerala, farm gate prices are between Rs 94 and Rs 97 a kg.
“Normally, prices will be high at the beginning of the season and decline as harvesting progresses. This year, it is unlikely to see a big fall as there is a shortage of material even in Tanzania and West African markets,” said G Giridhar Prabhu, a Mangaluru-based exporter and former vice-chairman of the Cashew Export Promotion Council of India.
This is the highest ever season opening price in the history of cashew nut trade in India Around the same time last year, raw cashew nut prices had touched Rs 95 a kg and then dropped to Rs 83 a kg The trigger for the steep spike in prices this year is the short supply of nuts India imports around 750,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts every year to meet the requirements of processing units Domestic production varies between 400,000 and 550,000 tonnes India exports around 120,000 tonnes of cashew kernels annually Last week’s unseasonal rains in many growing regions would benefit the crop in the form of better growth
The landed price of nuts from Tanzania was Rs 92 a kg this year. The crop in Tanzania was less this year, resulting in higher price for Indian importers. According to Prabhu, prices are expected to go down by at least Rs 10 a kg.
India imports around 750,000 tonnes of raw nuts every year to meet the requirements of processing units. Domestic production varies between 400,000 and 550,000 tonnes. India exports around 120,000 tonnes of cashew kernels annually.
According to Prabhu, last year’s prolonged monsoon rains, which lasted till November in many growing regions of the west coast, have delayed crop harvesting. He added the flowering as well as fruit setting in cashew orchards was delayed because of the rains and, as a result, the harvesting was yet to start in many areas. Delayed by a month, harvesting is likely to begin in April across Karnataka, Maharashtra and parts of Goa.
However, last week’s unseasonal rains in many growing regions would benefit the crop.
“The shortage of raw material is a huge problem for processing units this year because the 2014 crop is exhausted. In the past four years, the carry-over stock was left unprocessed. This year, however, due to expansion of processing units and lower crop, the industry is likely to face shortage,” Prabhu said.
He said raw nut prices have doubled in the past seven to eight years, compared to Rs 45-50 a kg in 2007-08. “In fact, prices have grown 100 times in the past 42 years. In 1972, raw cashew nut was sold at Rs 102 a quintal by farmers,” Prabhu recalled.
As a result of the rise in raw nut prices, the processed cashew nut (kernel) prices in the retail market are currently Rs 800-1,000 a kg in super markets.
- Business Standard
Benin: The gov’t fixed the price of Cashew to FCFA 225 /Kg
The government of Benin has decided this week to increase the price of cashew in the country to FCFA 225/Kg for the 2014/2015 campaign against FCFA 200 in 2013/2014.
According to an official of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and SMEs who requested anonymity but quoted by Xinhua news agency, this trend reflects the growing importance of cashew in agriculture in Benin. “This speculation which agricultural production area covers six of the twelve districts of the country is becoming increasingly important as socio-economically and environmentally.” He told Xinhua, before illustrating his point with statistics.
According to a study by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Benin, raw cashew nut exports of Benin on the international market, especially in China, Indonesia, Vietnam and the European Union have evolved in recent years, going from 19,174 tons in 1997 to 69,357 tons in 2006.
“This increase in the penetration of Beninese cashew in the international market, coupled with an improved margin of farmers and other stakeholders showed cashew as a strategic product whose development prospects are promising,” reveals the study.
According to the Chief of Staff of the Benin Minister of Agriculture, despite this favorable situation of the moment, the trend in the medium term self-sufficiency in Asian countries should guide national policy to a sustained increase in local processing.
Thus, the area under cultivation has increased from 165,000 ha to 191,000 ha between 1998 and 2007. For the current campaign, the country expects to produce about 120,000 tons.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Cashew nut prices hit century mark
PANAJI: This season's first produce of cashew nuts has hit a morale-boosting century mark, with prices scaling a new milestone at Rs102-105 per kilo. It's an over 100% rise in prices from just seven years ago when a kilo drew Rs48-50.
It's not just the unique flavour of Goa's cashew nuts that are attracting the pricing. "More and more people are savouring the cholesterol-free and nutrient-rich product, as it has been belatedly realized, especially if it is consumed in raw form as white kernel," said A S Kamath, adviser, Goa Cashew Processors Association.
Though the prices are expected to stabilize later in the season as the availability of raw material improves with more supplies, even the kernel or the processed nut has shown a significant rise from Rs450-500 per kilo in 2014 to Rs500-600 per kilo this season.
The prices have been growing steadily from Rs45-50 in 2008 to Rs50-55 in 2009, Rs62-65 in 2010, and Rs85-90 in 2011. While there was a dip to Rs70-75 in 2012, the rise continued to Rs90-95 in 2014.
The unseasonal rain is being considered by local growers to be a blessing. The showers will boost the crop, though the flowering is likely to be delayed, said sources.
Madhav Sahakari, president, Goa Cashew Manufacturers Association, told TOI, "The prospect of a better crop this year compared to the poorer crop globally last year appears to be good at this stage."
The decline in crop is also a reason for the spike in prices. Despite Goa's modest production of about 20,000 tonnes of cashew nuts per annum, the state's cashew farmers find themselves reaping the benefit of rising prices.
"In 2008, USA was the biggest consumer of cashew nuts, but domestic consumption has doubled and India is presently the largest consumer," said Kamath.
While India is the largest producer and processor, Vietnam has carved a niche for itself as the largest exporter. This is attributed to the marginal domestic consumption, and the produce ends up being bulkily exported, said sources.
Goan cashew nuts are known for their taste and quality, as farmers gather only mature ones after they fall to the ground. Local farmers consider the cashew crop as one of the most rewarding agricultural activities. "Minimal care is required and the crop grows in areas where nothing much else grows," said Kamath.
But despite the support price provided by the state government, the state's production has been stagnating for a few years. Maharashtra is considered the model state encouraging cashew production and processing through various incentives. The industry taps locally available raw material and provides employment opportunities at the rural level.
"One bag of raw cashew nuts can offer employment to three to four persons per day," said Kamath.
- India Times
Cashew body festival to focus on farmer empowerment
MANGALURU, MARCH 4:
Focus on the empowerment of cashew growers will be part of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers’ Association (KCMA). The year-long event will begin with a two-day event in Mangaluru on Mach 14.
A press release by KCMA said here on Wednesday that the event will showcase the strength of the industry and unveil the vision for the next 15 years. Apart from empowering raw cashewnut growers, the cashew industry will make efforts to arrest the colossal waste of the cashew apple and make the raw cashewnut production much more remunerative for the farmers. KCMA will also evolve a sustainable mechanism to assure farmers a minimum guaranteed price for their produce.
A press release said that the event will create more awareness about the health and nutritional benefits of cashew. The event will make efforts to attract the attention of the Union and state governments and decision makers about the immense potential of the industry.
It said the diamond jubilee celebrations will start with a national convention on cashew and a machinery exhibition on March 14. Experts will present technical papers on various aspects of the industry such as production, processing, promotion, marketing, automation etc. KCMA will unfold all its plans and projects during the diamond jubilee year on March 15. KCMA has over 400 cashew processors in nine districts of Karnataka.
The release said that collectively cashew industry has given direct employment to over 50,000 people, and 95 per cent of them are women belonging to the weaker sections of society.
In terms of volume of business, cashew industry has grown from an aggregate of ₹50 crore to over ₹2,000 crore per annum in the last three decades. In terms of export earnings to the national exchequer, the industry has registered a jump from about ₹30 crore to over ₹800 crore per annum in the three decades, it added.
Cashew fest from March 14
Amid hopes of making Karnataka the cashew State of India, the diamond jubilee of Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers Association will be celebrated in the city with a technical session, a cashew festival and technical exhibition, on March 14 and 15 at the T.M.A. Pai Convention Centre.
Office-bearers of the association told presspersons here on Wednesday that Karnataka occupied a place of pride in the country, having registered a good growth with nine districts having more than 400 cashew processors. In contrast, the industry had witnessed a drastic fall in Kerala.
The industry as whole, however, has grown in terms of a turnover from Rs. 50 crore three decades ago to Rs. 2,000 crore now. Export earnings have gone up from Rs. 30 crore to Rs. 800 crore. From here it needs to grow to Rs. 8,000 crore in a short span, to follow the example of Mozambique. A focus area now was addressing the colossal waste of cashew apple (about 4 lakh tonnes a year in Karnataka), which contained nutrients. Its vast potential could be harnessed in multiple ways by self help groups and growers but they lacked knowledge on the processes. The association aims to support such efforts, and the tech show would display how this could be done. They said cashew was wrongly perceived to be unhealthy in terms contribution to cholesterol but it was a myth and the forthcoming event would highlight this.
As part of the diamond jubilee of Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers Association, a Cashew Festival will be held on March 15, in which women and hotel management school students aged above 18 may compete in making cashew-based dishes.
Students can send an essay with the name of school and parent on health benefits of cashew nuts to kajufest@gmail.com by March 10 to win prizes from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 15,000. It will be open to public from 4 p.m.
- The Hindu