Top Ten Cashew Nut Producing States in India

Rank	State Name	Area	Production	Yield
1	Maharashtra	184	225	1221
2	Andhra Pradesh	184	118	641
3	Odisha	164	101	616
4	Kerala	85	77	906
5	Karnataka	122	75	611
6	Tamil Nadu	136	62	454
7	Others	36	49	1357
8	Goa	57	30	526
9	West Bengal	11	12	1091
10	Jharkhand	12	5	417

 

 

Top Ten Cashewnut Producing Countries in the World

Rank	Country	Production (Metric Tons)
1	Vietnam	1237300
2	Nigeria	836,500
3	India	680,000
4	Ivory Coast	450,000
5	Benin	170,000
6	Philippines	132,541
7	Guinea	130,000
8	Tanzania	122,274
9	Indonesia	117,400
10	Brazil	80,630

 

 

Cashewnuts Yield World Statistics and Data

S.No	Country	Cashew Nuts, Yield (Hectogram Per Hectare)
1	Philippines	51038
2	Peru	49924
3	Vietnam	36921
4	Mexico	30131
5	Nigeria	25000
6	Malaysia	20760
7	Thailand	16875
8	Gambia	16663
9	Togo	14615
10	Honduras	14189
11	Guinea	11544
12	Kenya	9677
13	Burkina Faso	9583
14	Belize	9067
15	Burma	8516
16	El Salvador	8219
17	Mozambique	8125
18	India	7591
19	Angola	7071
20	Guinea-Bissau	5580

 

Maharashtra ranks first in the list of the states that are largest producers of cashew nuts in India. The average production of cashew nuts in this state is approximately 111,334.4 metric tons annually. Maharashtra has always witnessed a positive trend in cashew nut with a gradual increase in production every year except for 1997-98, 2000-01 and 2009-10.

Vietnam tops the list of the largest cashew nut producing countries in the world. Not just that, it is also a major cashew nut exporter. The country has approximately one-third of the global share of cashew nut production. More than 300,000 hectares of Vietnam land is utilized for the production of cashew nuts and has a productivity of 1,000 kilograms per square kilometer. The country has a separate association for cashew nuts called Vietnam Cashew Association, which was formed in the year 1990 and takes care of the development of the Vietnam cashew industry.

The Philippines, a Southeast Asian country, has the highest yield of cashew nuts in the world.

While there are approximately 33 types of cashews produced in the world, not all of them are exported or available for commercial use. The major types of cashew found in the world are:
·    W – 180: This type of cashew nut is popularly known as the ‘King of Cashew’ as they have a larger size and are the most expensive ones.
·    W – 210: These nuts are also called the ‘Jumbo’ nuts owing to their size.
·    W – 240: This is one of the most attractive grades of cashew nuts available at an affordable price.
·    W – 320: These are the most widely used cashew nuts that are also most easily available in the world.
·    W – 450: These are the cheapest cashew nuts found in the world, which makes them a favorite among the people.

Here are some of the most important things that you must know about cashew nuts.

·    The first cashew tree was found in Brazil. Now many countries like Ivory Coast, Vietnam, Nigeria, Indonesia and India not just cultivate this nut but also export it to different parts of the world.

·    Contrary to its name, cashews are not nuts but are seeds instead.

·    They are produced in a pseudo-fruit called cashew apple from which a kidney-shaped shell protrudes. The nuts are naturally double-wrapped in toxins.

·    The cashew apple, which is a reddish pear-shaped fruit, has a sweet taste and its juice makes a great refreshing drink. However, as this fruit cannot be transferred for long distance, its juice is only consumed by the people of Brazil.

·    Cashews need to be roasted to remove the toxins. These raw nuts, sans toxins, are then roasted again to enhance their flavor.

·    One ounce of cashews carry 150 calories but has the capability to keep the hunger at bay for a longer time as compared to any other food of same calories. They contain healthy fats and proteins to provide a balanced nutrition.

·    From the toxic wrapper of the nut, a cashew shell oil is derived which can be used as an alternative to brake fluid in industries.