Cashew nut is the real fruit of a cashew, which is called Anacardium Occidentale L. in scientific terms. It resembles the shape of a kidney. Cashew nuts are technically not nuts but seeds, which are hung within the cashew fruit at the end of the cashew apple - the edible swollen fruit stem. This is why it is also known as "false fruit." It has its origin in the Anacardiaceae family and originated in Brazil. Later on, between 1563 and 1578, the Portuguese brought cashew nuts to India (specifically Goa) and Africa. Around 33 varieties of cashews have been identified since then. The W-180 variety of cashew is called the "king of cashews" because of its premium quality, large-scale availability, and a comparatively larger size.
The flowering of cashews takes place from December to April in the Northern hemisphere (Russia, Canada, China, India), and from June to December in the Southern hemisphere (Australia, Chile, Brazil, South Africa). It takes around 2 to 3 months for the cashew fruit to fully mature and become ready for harvesting. However, this also depends on the tree's health, variety, and the climate conditions. They are then used for various purposes - as a snack (roasted cashews) and as an ingredient in curries, noodles, Asian stir-fries, etc (by making a paste out of it).
Every 100 g serving of cashew nuts provides a range of nutrients, which are:
Here are some cool facts about cashews that most people don't know:
The world production of cashew nuts ranges from 720,000 to 790,000 MT every year. India ranks second among the producing countries by having an annual production of 170,000-195,000 MT. This data is enough to back up the fact that cashew nuts have gained huge popularity in the global trade market. The primary reason for this surge of demand is that cashew nuts are a natural source of healthy fats, fibre, and protein. Did you know that India is also one of the top-consuming countries of cashew nuts? The US and Germany come 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Other than them, a lot of developed (18 countries) and developing (46 countries) countries are active in producing cashew nuts. Both the processed (roasted, salted, oil, juice, and in powder form) and raw forms are a prime variety in the export of cashew nuts. This huge consumption and demand doubled the production of cashew nuts from 2000 to 2018.
The value of cashew nuts in several sectors, from food production to industrial manufacturing, is what drives the countries to produce and export to their full potential. Exporters export a lot of products extracted from cashew plants to boost their country's economic growth. Some of those are raw cashew nuts, cashew nut shell liquid, cashew kernel, cashew nut oil, shell powder, butter, cashew juice, flour, etc. Farmers carry out an intensive harvesting process to make the best out of the cashew plants. This is the main reason why cashew nuts and their products are exported at a premium price. The whole Kaju price 1 kg usually has a range of INR 800 to 1,100 in India. No wonder why Cashew nuts are also known as cash crops. Other than these factors, there are a lot of other uses of cashew nuts that drive their exports internationally. Those are as follows:
If you’re aiming to grow your cashew nut export business internationally, there are various effective strategies to go about it, in terms of product quality. When you've exactly what the importers' market is seeking, you crack deals much faster. The following pointers will help you in understanding what the global buyers expect from you.
By Size and Shape:
By Grade Number:
There is no denying the fact that the more products you export, the more you increase your credibility and profit margins in the global trade industry. Here are some cashews-related products or nuts which you can add to expand your exporting business:
When you know the true scale of the global cashew nut market, you can transform your business approach to reach maximum potential. It gives you a clear view to identify high-potential countries and connect with reliable cashew buyers around the world. Here is some of the important market size data to help you through it:
Global Market Size
Source: Straits Research
Top Importing Countries for Cashew Nuts (2024):
Source: Volza
If you’re thinking about exporting your cashew nuts to other countries, and do not know how to find the reliable ones in a market full of scammers. Down below are some of the safest ways to connect with cashew nut buyers from all over the world:
1. How to sell cashew nuts online?
You can sell your cashew nuts online either by creating your website or signing up on B2B platforms like go4WorldBusiness.
2. How much is 1kg of cashewnut?
The cashew nut price for 1kg ranges from INR 1,000 to 1,400. It is subject to change as per the type, condition, and specific location.
3. Who buys the most cashews?
Vietnam, India, and the US are the three top countries that buy the most cashews.
4. Who is the largest consumer of cashews?
India is the largest consumer of cashews, consuming 30.5% of the total cashew consumption in 2024.
5. Which Indian state in India is famous for cashews?
Maharashtra of India, is the most famous state for cashews.
6. Which city is called cashew capital of India?
Kollam, which is a city in Kerala, is called the cashew capital of India because it is a major centre for the production of cashew.
7. What are the quality control measures for cashew exports?
Ensuring that the cashews are packed in airtight containers, have gone through the sampling test (it must be free from pests, infections, or insects), and do not contain any moisture are some of the quality control measures for cashew exports.
8. Are there specific grades of cashews that are exported?
Yes, many specific grades of cashews are exported, which are designated with “W”. Some of them are W180, W210, W320, etc.
9. What are the major export destinations for Indian cashews?
The UAE, US, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the Netherlands, among others, are some of the major export destinations for Indian cashews.
10. What support is available for cashew exporters?
Some of the support systems given to the cashew exporters are in the form of financial assistance, valuable schemes, and the introduction of some export promotion councils like CEPCI, APEDA, etc.
11. What is the global demand for cashew nuts?
The global demand for cashew nuts was $7.78 billion (in trade value) in 2024, which is estimated to reach $11.67 billion. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.6%.
12. Which country produces the most cashew nuts in the world?
Ivory Coast produces the most cashew nuts in the world.
13. Which country is the largest importer of cashews?
Vietnam is the largest importer of cashews in the world.
14. What is the cashew nuts HSN code?
080132 is the HSN code for cashew nuts.
India, which was once the top exporter of cashews in 1925, with a 96% share in the total cashews export, is now declining in its export value. It is now consuming 30% of the total processed cashew kernel and is embracing cashews in all forms as snacks, Kaju Kathli, namkeens, etc. (Full Story: The New Indian Express)
