Cashew Nut Industry in India - Cashew Nuts India vs Other Countries

The cashew market in India is growing rapidly and is gaining global importance. It is expected to reach $2.9 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.80%. India is one of the largest cashew-producing countries in the world. Let’s find out what is special about the cashew market in India that can attract so many customers through the following article.

India is one of the largest cashew nut-producing countries in the world. The cashew nut industry in India has undergone remarkable development. Here are some important points about the history and trends of this industry:
Origin and origin: Since the 16th century, the Portuguese introduced cashew nuts to India, Malaysia, and some East African countries. Currently, cashew nuts are widely grown in tropical climates in Asia. Cashew nuts are usually grown in areas with latitudes between 30 degrees North and 30 degrees South.

The Indian processed cashew nuts market is expected to register a CAGR of 9.33% during the forecast period from 2020 to 2025. The cashew nuts market has witnessed a rapid change in consumption patterns across India in recent years, primarily due to flavored ready-to-eat cashew nut products capturing an increasing share in the retail market. With increasing health consciousness, consumers prefer healthier snacks, hence the demand for flavored cashew nuts is rising in India. However, the domestic cashew nuts market is expected to face headwinds as locals prefer other snacks, which are available at cheaper prices for on-the-go snacking.
The cashew market in India is estimated to reach US$ 2.40 billion by 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 2.9 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.80% during the forecast period (2024-2029)1. India is a global cashew processing hub, with numerous manufacturing units in states such as Goa, Vettapalam (Andhra Pradesh), Kollam (Kerala), and Mangalore (Karnataka).

Regular/Salted Cashew Nuts: The raw/salted cashew nut segment accounts for a major share of the processed cashew nut market, as a majority of Indian consumers have a habit of consuming raw cashew nuts for nutritional benefits.
Increasing use of cashew nuts in Indian cuisine: Especially in desserts, increasing use of cashew nuts is one of the major factors driving the market.

Supermarkets/Hypermarkets: Consumers in urban cities and towns prefer supermarkets and hypermarkets to buy their daily necessities. Marketing of cashews through this channel is expected to contribute to brand awareness.
Cashew Production: India produces about 350,000 tonnes of raw cashews every year2. The total area under cashew cultivation in India covers 0.7 million hectares of land, and the country produces more than 0.8 million tonnes every year. The cashew-growing regions in India include peninsular Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal. Of these, Kerala is the largest producing state.
Market Trends: There is a growing demand for delicious and healthy cashews. Cashews in India are available in roasted, salted, flavored, and coated forms, as well as value-added products such as cashew powder and cashew butter. However, the domestic cashew market may struggle as locals prefer other snacks, which are available at lower prices for on-the-go snacking.

Indian cashews originated in northeastern Brazil and were later introduced to India and Portuguese colonies in Africa such as Mozambique. Although Indian cashews are large, their flavor is often not as sweet and fatty as Vietnamese cashews. They are bland and crumbly, and cannot be compared to domestic cashews in terms of quality.

Cashews come from many countries and can be distinguished based on several characteristics. Here is how to distinguish Indian cashews from foreign cashews:

Indian cashews: Indian cashews are usually uniform in shape, uniform in color, and uniform in size. Indian cashews are usually solid in the core, like dense bread.
Foreign cashews: Foreign cashews are usually irregular in shape, thinner in pieces, and have thin seed wings. Foreign cashews may have concave or bulging in the core.

Indian Cashews: Indian Cashews are usually delicious, crunchy and nutritious.
Foreign Cashews: Foreign Cashews may not be as sweet and fatty as Indian Cashews and are often bland and crumbly.
List of Largest Cashew Nut Manufacturing Companies in India
India is one of the largest cashew nut producing countries globally. Here is a list of some of the important cashew nut manufacturing companies in India:
Delicious Cashew Co.: One of the leading companies in the processed cashew nut industry.
Wonderland Foods: This company also contributes significantly to the Indian cashew nut market.
Greendot Health Foods Pvt. Ltd (Cornitos): Greendot Health Foods specializes in manufacturing flavored cashew nut products.
Royal Dry Fruits Pvt. Ltd (Rostaa): Royal Dry Fruits is one of the reputed cashew nut manufacturing companies in India.
Nutty Yogi: Nutty Yogi offers cashews and other health related food products1.
Haldirams: Haldirams is not only famous for its snack products, but also produces cashews and other food products.
Kalbavi Cashews: Kalbavi Cashews is also one of the notable names in the Indian cashew industry.

Remember, the cashew market has seen a rapid change in consumption patterns across India, mainly due to the flavored processed cashew products gaining an increasing share in the Indian retail market.

India is one of the largest cashew-producing countries in the world. Currently, India produces about 350,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts per year. The total area under cashew cultivation in India covers 0.7 million hectares of land, and the country produces more than 0.8 million tonnes per year. The cashew-growing regions in India include the Kerala peninsula, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and West Bengal. Of these, Kerala is the largest producing state.

In addition to producing cashew nuts, India is also one of the leading cashew-exporting countries in the world. Indian cashew nuts are processed into various products including roasted cashews, salted cashews, cashew butter, cashew powder, and many other value-added products.