The India Cashew Market is expected to reach US$ 3.31 billion by 2033 from US$ 2.28 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 4.25% from 2025 to 2033. Growing health consciousness, increased domestic consumption, and growing export prospects are the main factors propelling the cashew industry in India. Domestic demand is increasing as health-conscious customers choose nutrient-dense foods like cashews. Furthermore, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan continue to be major cashew consumers, making India a top exporter of cashews.
With areas like Kollam in Kerala serving as key hubs, India leads the world in cashew processing. The UAE, Japan, the Netherlands, and the US are among the more than 60 countries to which the nation exports cashew kernels. Through increased cultivation and the use of high-yield cultivars, government programs like the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) seek to increase production.
People who eat nuts more than four times a week can lower their risk of coronary heart disease by 37%, per a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition. Given these findings, it is anticipated that more cashews will be utilized in the production of snack bars, a nutritious substitute for high-calorie chocolate bars. For the majority of businesses, cashew consumption and value addition result in new projects and advancements. They are making progress on projects involving cashew pulp and other items made from cashews.
For example, Sahyadri Farms established the largest cashew processing facility in Nashik in 2023, capable of processing 100 metric tons of cashews daily. The plant's economic value is increased by producing cashew oil from the shells during the cashew processing process.
The Maharashtra Cashew Board intends to increase cultivation by 12,000 hectares over three years, emphasizing high-density, high-yielding, and organic types, in order to overcome these problems. This program seeks to increase production while lowering imports of raw materials by 25%. Furthermore, initiatives are being made to market value-added goods like wine and cashew apple juice, which have the potential to increase agricultural revenues by 20%. The plan to increase the state's standing in the international cashew market also includes the construction of model nurseries, farmer training initiatives, and upgraded processing facilities.
Ninety-five percent of the 300,000 workers in the business are women. However, a shortage of raw materials and high operating expenses have forced the closure of some processing facilities, particularly in Kollam. In order to increase output without compromising the livelihood of workers, the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) has started the process of acquiring raw cashew nuts from African governments and is partially mechanizing the process.
India Cashew Industry Overview
In terms of both production and exports, India's cashew sector makes a substantial economic contribution to the country. India grows more than 0.8 million tonnes of cashews a year on an area of about 0.7 million hectares. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra are the main cashew-producing states. The industry plays a significant role in rural employment, employing around 1.5 million people in the farming and processing sectors.With areas like Kollam in Kerala serving as key hubs, India leads the world in cashew processing. The UAE, Japan, the Netherlands, and the US are among the more than 60 countries to which the nation exports cashew kernels. Through increased cultivation and the use of high-yield cultivars, government programs like the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) seek to increase production.
People who eat nuts more than four times a week can lower their risk of coronary heart disease by 37%, per a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition. Given these findings, it is anticipated that more cashews will be utilized in the production of snack bars, a nutritious substitute for high-calorie chocolate bars. For the majority of businesses, cashew consumption and value addition result in new projects and advancements. They are making progress on projects involving cashew pulp and other items made from cashews.
For example, Sahyadri Farms established the largest cashew processing facility in Nashik in 2023, capable of processing 100 metric tons of cashews daily. The plant's economic value is increased by producing cashew oil from the shells during the cashew processing process.
Growth Drivers for the India Cashew Market
Changing Consumption Patterns
Beyond their customary use as festive or infrequent treats, cashews are fast becoming a mainstay in Indian homes. More accessibility through contemporary retail channels and changing consumer habits are the main drivers of this shift. A larger population now has easier access to cashews due to the quick growth of supermarkets, hypermarkets, and online shopping platforms. Furthermore, cashews are becoming more and more versatile in Indian kitchens as they are used in a wide range of commonplace culinary applications, from snacks and plant-based recipes to gravies and desserts. This tendency is further supported by the ease of packaged, ready-to-eat cashew goods and the allure of value-added options like roasted or flavored variants. Domestic demand is rising dramatically in urban and semi-urban regions as a result of these changing consumption patterns.Product Innovation
The expansion of the cashew industry in India is largely due to product innovation, as brands are putting more of an emphasis on flavored, organic, and value-added variations. These days, consumers are drawn to products that offer both taste and nutrition, such as cashews that are chili-roasted, honey-coated, or masala-flavored. Customers who are concerned about their health and the environment are drawn to organic cashews since they are devoid of artificial chemicals and pesticides. Furthermore, value-added goods like cashew milk, cashew butter, and snack bars are becoming more and more well-liked, particularly among vegan and lactose-intolerant customers. These developments enable businesses reach a larger audience in both local and international markets by improving shelf presence and brand uniqueness in addition to satisfying the needs of niche customers.Health and Wellness Trends
As a wholesome snack that fits in nicely with growing health and wellness trends, cashews have become more and more popular. They are abundant in vital minerals like copper, zinc, and magnesium, as well as heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and vitamins B6 and E. Cashews are a popular choice for consumers who are concerned about their health because of their nutrients, which promote heart health, immune system function, and general well-being. As a result, there is now a greater demand for creative plant-based substitutes in addition to raw and roasted cashews. Among vegans and those who are lactose intolerant, products like cashew milk, cashew butter, and dairy-free cheeses are becoming more popular. The market for cashews is expanding both domestically and internationally due to consumers' preference for clean-label, nutrient-dense goods.Challenges in the India Cashew Market
Outdated Processing Technology
In the Indian cashew business, outdated processing technology continues to be a significant obstacle. For shelling, peeling, and grading cashews, many small and medium-sized businesses still use time-consuming, traditional processes. This impacts consistency in quality and yield in addition to lowering productivity and raising labor expenses. Indian processors find it challenging to compete with technologically advanced nations like Vietnam, where automated systems have dramatically increased productivity and decreased prices, due to the lack of contemporary technology and automation, which limits scalability and operational efficiency. The industry runs the risk of becoming even less competitive globally if modernization is not funded on time, which will make it more difficult to meet growing domestic demand and maintain export market share.Labor Shortages and Skill Gaps
Labor shortages and skill gaps are becoming serious issues for the Indian cashew processing industry. The industry, which historically relied on manual labor for jobs like peeling and shelling, is currently experiencing a labor shortage as younger generations avoid these physically taxing and frequently dangerous occupations. Interest can be further discouraged by the potential for respiratory and skin irritation from handling raw cashews. Because of this, many processing facilities have trouble hiring qualified personnel, which causes operations to lag and production to decline. In addition to raising wages, the labor shortage has raised manufacturing costs overall. The industry runs the danger of long-term operational inefficiencies and decreased global competitiveness if focused efforts are not made in skill development, training programs, and better working conditions.Maharashtra Cashew Market
Approximately one-fourth of India's cashew crop comes from Maharashtra, making it a major contributor to the country's cashew sector. Large-scale cashew agriculture is supported by the state's ideal coastline environment, especially in districts like Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, and Kolhapur. Despite this, Maharashtra is the biggest importer in India due to issues like pest infestations, climate-related output changes, and its reliance on imported raw cashew nuts. The processing industry is still primarily labor-intensive and small-scale, with little technical developments and a lack of qualified staff.The Maharashtra Cashew Board intends to increase cultivation by 12,000 hectares over three years, emphasizing high-density, high-yielding, and organic types, in order to overcome these problems. This program seeks to increase production while lowering imports of raw materials by 25%. Furthermore, initiatives are being made to market value-added goods like wine and cashew apple juice, which have the potential to increase agricultural revenues by 20%. The plan to increase the state's standing in the international cashew market also includes the construction of model nurseries, farmer training initiatives, and upgraded processing facilities.
Kerala Cashew Market
A Once a global leader, Kerala's cashew industry is today dealing with serious difficulties. With a production of only 83,000 MT of raw cashew nuts compared to a demand of 600,000 MT, the state currently ranks fifth in production and sixth in area among Indian states. The low productivity of conventional crops and a decrease in the area used for cashew farming are the causes of this deficit.Ninety-five percent of the 300,000 workers in the business are women. However, a shortage of raw materials and high operating expenses have forced the closure of some processing facilities, particularly in Kollam. In order to increase output without compromising the livelihood of workers, the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) has started the process of acquiring raw cashew nuts from African governments and is partially mechanizing the process.
Vietnam Cashew Market
Vietnam is a major exporter of processed cashews and a major player in the worldwide cashew market. Vietnam receives a lot of raw cashews from India, one of the biggest exporters of cashew nuts, for processing. The cashew business in Vietnam has experienced tremendous expansion, and the nation is now the world's top exporter of cashew kernels. Over 730,000 tons of processed cashews were exported by Vietnam in 2024, bringing in a record $4.37 billion. This success is mostly due to Vietnam's effective processing capabilities, as the nation processes over 80% of the cashew supply worldwide. Vietnam's cashew business continues to dominate international markets in spite of obstacles like growing shipping costs and a minor drop in domestic supply of raw materials.India Cashew Market Segment
Cashew Production Market - By States, Market breakup in 7 viewpoints:
- Maharashtra
- Andhra Pradesh
- Orissa
- Karnataka
- Tamil Nadu
- Kerala
- Others
Cashew Export Market - By Countries, Market breakup in 6 viewpoints:
- UAE
- Netherland
- Japan
- Saudi Arabia
- Vietnam
- Others
The key players have been analyzed by:
- Key Persons
- Overview
- Revenue Analysis
- Recent Development & Strategies
Key Players Analyzed:
- Wonderland Foods
- Kalbavi Cashews
- Britannia Industries Limited
- Haldirams
Table of Contents
1. Introduction2. Research Methodology3. Executive Summary5. India Cashew Market
4. Market Dynamics
6. Market Share
7. Cashew Production Market - By States
8. Cashew Export Market - By Countries
9. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
10. SWOT Analysis
11. Key Players Analysis
Companies Mentioned
- Wonderland Foods
- Kalbavi Cashews
- Britannia Industries Limited
- Haldirams
Methodology
In this report, for analyzing the future trends for the studied market during the forecast period, the publisher has incorporated rigorous statistical and econometric methods, further scrutinized by secondary, primary sources and by in-house experts, supported through their extensive data intelligence repository. The market is studied holistically from both demand and supply-side perspectives. This is carried out to analyze both end-user and producer behavior patterns, in the review period, which affects price, demand and consumption trends. As the study demands to analyze the long-term nature of the market, the identification of factors influencing the market is based on the fundamentality of the study market.
Through secondary and primary researches, which largely include interviews with industry participants, reliable statistics, and regional intelligence, are identified and are transformed to quantitative data through data extraction, and further applied for inferential purposes. The publisher's in-house industry experts play an instrumental role in designing analytic tools and models, tailored to the requirements of a particular industry segment. These analytical tools and models sanitize the data & statistics and enhance the accuracy of their recommendations and advice.
Primary Research
The primary purpose of this phase is to extract qualitative information regarding the market from the key industry leaders. The primary research efforts include reaching out to participants through mail, tele-conversations, referrals, professional networks, and face-to-face interactions. The publisher also established professional corporate relations with various companies that allow us greater flexibility for reaching out to industry participants and commentators for interviews and discussions, fulfilling the following functions:
- Validates and improves the data quality and strengthens research proceeds
- Further develop the analyst team’s market understanding and expertise
- Supplies authentic information about market size, share, growth, and forecast
The researcher's primary research interview and discussion panels are typically composed of the most experienced industry members. These participants include, however, are not limited to:
- Chief executives and VPs of leading corporations specific to the industry
- Product and sales managers or country heads; channel partners and top level distributors; banking, investment, and valuation experts
- Key opinion leaders (KOLs)
Secondary Research
The publisher refers to a broad array of industry sources for their secondary research, which typically includes, however, is not limited to:
- Company SEC filings, annual reports, company websites, broker & financial reports, and investor presentations for competitive scenario and shape of the industry
- Patent and regulatory databases for understanding of technical & legal developments
- Scientific and technical writings for product information and related preemptions
- Regional government and statistical databases for macro analysis
- Authentic new articles, webcasts, and other related releases for market evaluation
- Internal and external proprietary databases, key market indicators, and relevant press releases for market estimates and forecasts
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Table Information
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| No. of Pages | 200 |
| Published | May 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2024 - 2033 |
| Estimated Market Value ( USD | $ 2.28 Billion |
| Forecasted Market Value ( USD | $ 3.31 Billion |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate | 4.2% |
| Regions Covered | India |
| No. of Companies Mentioned | 4 |
