**New Delhi:** The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI) is organising a Three day International Buyer-Seller meet cum Exhibition, ‘Kaju India 2019’, the Global Cashew Summit in New Delhi from February 13-15, 2019.
The Global Cashew Summit is being organised to bring together the entire spectrum of the Global Cashew Industry – cashew kernel buyers, sellers, processors and providers of ancillary & supporting services across the world.
The Event will be inaugurated by Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, said Dr RK Bhoodes, Chairman, The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI).
“As India is the world’s largest producer, processor and consumer of cashew, special promotion for country’s products under “Indian Cashew” brand is proposed to be launched during the “KAJU INDIA 2019. The theme of the global event has been rightly chosen as “Indian Cashews – The Superfood”, due to its dietary fiber, nutrients and health benefits,” added Bhoodes.
The Cashew Industry is spread over 17 states of India that earns forex worth Rs 6,000 crore to nation’s economy annually. Cashew industry provides gainful employment to more than 10 Lakhs workers the vast majority of whom are women folks from the socially and economically backward section of society.
Kaju India 2019 is also the curtain raiser for the yearlong celebrations to commemorate the 100th year of Indian Cashew Export. It was in 1920 that India exported its first consignment and introduced cashew kernels as a commodity to the international market. Today, India is the largest producer, processor and consumer of cashew in the world. Indian cashew is accepted all over the world for its high quality, taste and rich tradition. With growing competition worldwide Indian industry plans to focus on developing highly processed products and exporting products with high value-addition.
“KAJU INDIA” is the largest cashew related event worldwide where large number of stake holder’s right from cashew farmers, traders, agents, processors, business customers will meet and interact. Brain storming business sessions, live machinery expo, motivational speeches, and presentation of Excellence awards will be the key features of this mega event. About 75 Overseas Delegates from all over the world and 800 Indian Cashew Traders and Exporters are expected to take part in the Kaju India 2019,” he said.
The Indian Cashew Industry growth is around 17 Lakhs metric tonnes of raw cashew nuts per annum for processing against which around 9 lakhs of metric tonnes is imported mainly from African Countries. The Indian production of raw cashew is on increase and has reached 817,000 metric tonnes during 2017-18. Specific programmes are being implemented by the Agriculture Ministry, to augment the production of raw cashew nuts in India. There is need to attain self-sufficiency in the raw cashew nuts production.
The lack of modernisation and high wages are making Indian exports uncompetitive as the cost of processing is lower in other exporting countries. The import duty, coupled with these high costs, has a negative impact on the industry, say experts.
CEPCI has said that apart from these issues, its request to revise Minimum Import Price (MIP) on cashew kernels and allied products is also under process.
The surge in import of low quality finished and semi-finished cashew kernels from competing countries using the loops in the existing policy and also using unfair methods is the most serious threat to the Cashew processors. These imports of finished and semi-finished cashew kernels are to be restricted; else the industry will find it difficult to survive, Bhoodes added.