Cashew business in Kollam
Kollam is known as the Cashew Capital of the World. Kollam is the largest processed cashew exporter in the world. Nowadays, more than 600 Cashew Processing Units are there in Kollam. About 800,000 tonnes of raw cashews are importing to Kollam for processing every year.[1] 90% of India's export quality Cashew Kernels are prepared from Kollam.[2]
History
Kollam's cashew business was started a long way back with Portuguese. They discovered the plant in Brazil during 1578 and brought to India. They planted cashew trees in India initially for reducing the soil erosion. The health benefits and value of cashew nut were discovered much later. The trees adapted very well to their new home, especially in the Kerala region. Cashew has reached Kollam(Quilon) later in 16th century. Quilon was an old settlement of Portuguese.
During the time periods of Portuguese, Dutch and British in Indian subcontinent, Quilon(Kollam) city and old Kollam Port was very famous as a business hub of Arabs and Chinese. The rich natives of Kollam have brought-up cashew business as like their own family business.[3]
Cashew Export Business of Kollam
India is on top nowadays in exporting Cashew Kernels and Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL). Foreign exchange earned by the country through export of cashew kernels during 2011-12 touched Rs.4,390 crore as per statistics of Cashew Export Promotion Council of India. 1.31 lakh tonnes of kernel has been exported during 2011-12. 90% of this export quality Cashew Kernels are prepared from Kollam.[4][5]
The industry provides livelihood for about 6–7 lakhs of employees and farmers, the cashew industry has national importance. In Kollam district alone there are more than 2.5 lakhs employees directly involved in the industry, which comes about 10 per cent of the population of the district, out of which 95 per cent are women workers. Kollam is very famous for its traditional Cashew business.[6] More than 600 Cashew Processing Units are there in Kollam. About 800,000 tonnes of raw cashews are importing to Kollam for processing every year.[7] An average of 130,000 tonnes of processed cashews are exporting from Kollam to various countries like USA, UAE, Netherlands, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Singapore, Italy, Greece, Australia, Kuwait, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Canada, Thailand, Russia, Norway, Syria, and Hong Kong every year.[8] That is why Kollam is known as the Cashew Capital of the World.[9] CEPCI is expecting a rise in export, ie 275,000 tonnes by 2020, a growth of 120 per cent over the present exports.[10]
Biggest importers of Cashew Kernel from Kollam
| Country | Exported Quantity | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 47,611 tonnes | Rs.1,470.47 Crore | 2011-12 |
| UAE | 14,173 tonnes | Rs.606.11 Crore | 2011-12 |
| Netherlands | 11,517 tonnes | Rs.365.57 Crore | 2011-12 |
| Japan | -- | Rs.237.45 Crore | 2011-12 |
| Saudi Arabia | -- | Rs.207.01 Crore | 2011-12 |
Number of CEPCI registered Cashew exporting companies in and around Kollam
| CEPCI registered cashew exporters | |
|---|---|
| Place | Number of Companies[11] |
| Kilikollur | 25 |
| Thattamala | 2 |
| Kadappakada | 2 |
| Chandanathoppe | 13 |
| Mylom | 1 |
| Parameswar Nagar | 5 |
| Asramam | 2 |
| Channapetta | 1 |
| Nallila | 4 |
| Kochupilamoodu | 9 |
| Kunnicode | 1 |
| Pavithreswaram | 1 |
| Valakam | 1 |
| Odanavattam | 2 |
| Mukkoodu | 1 |
| Ezhukone | 4 |
| Beach Road | 6 |
| Punalur | 9 |
| Edavattom | 2 |
| Kottamkara | 1 |
| Kannanalloor | 1 |
| Kundara | 3 |
| Vadakkevila | 2 |
| Kottarakkara | 2 |
| Peroor | 6 |
| Decent Junction | 3 |
| Puthoor | 11 |
| Mangad | 7 |
| Ayathil | 1 |
| Mundakkal West | 2 |
| Mundakkal | 2 |
| Perinad | 1 |
| Pathanapuram | 9 |
| Mavadi | 2 |
| Thamarakkulam | 1 |
| Kuttichira | 1 |
| Cantonment | 1 |
| Cantonment South | 1 |
| Lakshminada | 1 |
| Maranadu | 1 |
| Downtown | 5 |
References
- ↑ Kollam, Ashtamudi Lake - great alternatives to Kochi, Vembanad Lake
- ↑ "Kerala's cashew industry survives on foreign nuts". commodityonline. Retrieved 2014-11-14.
- ↑ "Cashew Nut - Nature's Vitamin Pill". Dulce Rodrigues. Retrieved 2014-11-14.
- ↑ Organizations namely Cashew Export Promotion Council of India and Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation Limited are working in Kollam city for promoting exports of cashew kernels and cashew nut shell liquid from India and to protect the interest of workers and to provide maximum employment to its workers and to give statutory benefits like minimum wages, bonus, etc. prevaling in the cashew industry<ref CEPCI
- ↑ CEPCI - BS
- ↑ CASHEW INDUSTRY IN KERALA PROBLEMS AND POTENTIALS – Thesis to CUSAT
- ↑ Online Customs Clearance Facility for Kollam Port to be ready in a month
- ↑ Rise in earnings from cashew kernel exports – The Hindu
- ↑ Kollam, Ashtamudi Lake – great alternatives to Kochi, Vembanad Lake
- ↑ CEPCI – Kollam
- ↑ "Expoters Directory - Cashew Exports Promotion Council of India". Retrieved 20 December 2014.
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