The export target for the year was 1 lakh tonnes. Actual exports exceeded the target by 27 per cent. Cashew exports from India crossed the 1 lakh tonne mark in the calender year 2002. Exports were in the region of 98,203 tonnes valued at Rs 1,788.70 crore for 2001-2002.
However, in line with major agro-commodities, cashew exports declined 12.17 per cent in value terms. In terms of earnings in foreign exchange, the value of exports exceeded Rs 2000 crore but this was below expectations owing to weakening prices.
Despite quantitative growth, the cashew plantation sector has been subjected to a steady decline in the unit price of the nut, raising questions about the long-term viability of the industry. The unit export price of Rs 1,57,700 per tonne in the last fiscal was the lowest in the last one decade.
CEPCI said in a release that it had initiated a programme at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore in the USA and Japan markets. A plan has also been submitted to the central government for further investments in marketing and consumer awareness creation on the quality and health aspects of Indian cashews.
