Cashew Exports Down By Rs 600 Crore

Cashew exports declined both in value and quantity during April 2000 to March 2001. Exports of cashew kernels during the year was to the tune of Rs 1,851 crore and the quantity was 80,946 metric tonne. During April 1999 to March 2000 exports were worth Rs 2,451.45 crore and 92,461 tonne respectively.

Sources at the Cashew Export Promotion Council of India here attributed the decline to the low price realisation in the international market.

They told Business Standard that the declining tendency of the price level of cashew kernels has affected the cashew export industry in Kerala.

During March 1999 the price per pound was $2.75 in the New York market which was reduced to $2.59 in March 2000. In March 2001 the price had again fallen to the $1.80 level which affected the export performance.

But it is noteworthy that there was a sharp decline in the quantity exported during last fiscal. The exports declined by 11,515 tonne, which was the major reason for the setback in the export front.

During March this year, 6,854 tonne of kernels valued at Rs 138.46 crore was exported compared to 8148 tonne and Rs 201.47 crore respectively during the period last year. During the last quarter of the last fiscal exports were also lower than that of the same period in 1999-00.

Moreover, over 100 per cent growth was recorded in the exports of cashewnut shell liquid during 2000- 2001. But in the last fiscal only 1,697 tonne of shell liquid worth Rs 2.93 crore was exported. During 1999- 00 exports were to the tune of 754 tonne valued at Rs 1.84 crore.

However, imports of raw cashewnut increased during the last financial year. About 309,052 metric tonne of raw cashewnut valued at Rs 1,145.52 crore were imported during last financial year. 22,6396 tonne valued at Rs 1054 crore were the import in 1999-00.

During March 2001 alone, 27,981 tonne was imported which were 14,421 tonne in March 2000. Import was mainly from African nations.