Snapshot

Why Kollam is iconic:
Kollam, in Kerala, is known as the “Cashew Capital of the World”, housing India’s largest cashew processing and export hub. The region has a legacy of over 100 years of cashew trade, processing raw nuts sourced both from India and across Africa. Kollam’s highly skilled workforce is renowned for hand-peeling and grading, ensuring world-class quality standards.

The cluster is home to over 600+ cashew processing units and major exporters, supported by the Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI), headquartered in Kollam. This makes it the primary sourcing hub for cashew kernels, cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), and value-added products.

Scale:

• Kerala processes ~50% of India’s cashew exports, with Kollam as the epicenter.
  
• India exported ~$2.7B worth of cashews in 2023, primarily to the US, Europe, Japan, and Middle East.
  
• Kollam handles 80% of India’s cashew imports for processing and re-export.
  

Product Range

Category	Key Products
Cashew Kernels (Whole)	W180, W210, W240, W320, W450 grades
Broken Kernels	SW, SSW, LWP, SP, BB grades
Roasted & Flavored Cashews	Salted, masala, honey-roasted, chocolate-coated
Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL)	Industrial-grade CNSL and derivatives
Cashew Apple Products	Cashew apple juice, vinegar, wine
Organic Cashews	EU/USDA-certified organic kernels
Retail Packs & Gifting	Branded cashew gift packs and retail packaging

Cluster Strengths

Feature	Details
World’s Largest Cashew Hub	600+ processing units, CEPCI HQ in Kollam
Skilled Labor Force	Traditional hand-peeling ensures kernel quality
Advanced Grading & Automation	Optical sorting, vacuum packaging, value addition
Global Export Leadership	Cashews from Kollam supply 80+ countries
Raw Nut Sourcing Network	Imports from Africa (Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Mozambique)
Strong Institutional Backing	CEPCI, Kerala State Cashew Development Corp.

Materials & Sustainability

Key Inputs:

• Raw cashew nuts sourced from India, Africa, and Vietnam.
  
• Skilled labor for peeling, grading, and quality selection.
  
• Modern machinery for roasting, shelling, and vacuum packaging.
  

Sustainability Edge:

• Zero-waste processing: CNSL and shells used in biofuel and resin industries.
  
• Fairtrade and organic-certified cashew processing for premium buyers.
  
• Women-led workforce (over 90% of labor force are women), supporting rural livelihoods.
  
• Increasing adoption of solar drying and energy-efficient processing plants.
  

Cluster Infrastructure

• Institutions:
  
  • Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI): Export support, global promotion, quality certification.
    
  • Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC): Worker welfare, processing unit support.
    
• Processing Facilities:
  
  • 600+ modern processing units with vacuum packaging and grading systems.
    
  • Automated optical sorters and ISO-certified sterilization plants.
    
• Logistics:
  
  • Kollam Port (cargo), Cochin Port (~150 km) for global shipping.
    
  • Trivandrum International Airport (~70 km) for air freight.
    

Compliance & Certifications

• CEPCI certification for export cashews.
  
• ISO 22000, HACCP, BRCGS for food safety and quality.
  
• Organic certification: USDA, EU Organic, JAS for select exporters.
  
• Kosher and Halal certifications for global buyers.
  
• Fairtrade-certified processors for ethical sourcing.
  

Production Timelines & MOQs

Product Type	Sampling Lead Time	Bulk Lead Time	MOQ Guidance
Cashew Kernels (Whole Grades)	1 week	3–5 weeks	5–10 MT bulk
Broken Kernels	1 week	3–5 weeks	5 MT bulk
Roasted & Flavored Cashews	1–2 weeks	4–6 weeks	1 MT or 5,000+ packs
CNSL	2 weeks	4–6 weeks	1 MT drums
Retail & Gift Packs	2 weeks	4–6 weeks	1,000+ packs

Branding & Packaging

• Branding: Premium cashew brands use GI-like regional branding (“Kollam Cashews”).
  
• Packaging:
  
  • Vacuum-sealed, nitrogen-flushed pouches for exports.
    
  • Tin and PET jars for retail and gifting markets.
    
  • Drums for CNSL and broken grades for industrial buyers.
    
  • QR-coded traceability for premium buyers.
    

Quality Control (IndiaUnbox Protocol)

• Kernel grading (W180, W210, W240, W320, W450) per CEPCI standards.
  
• Moisture, aflatoxin, and pesticide residue tests in NABL-certified labs.
  
• Kernel count, color, and taste consistency checks.
  
• SGS, Intertek, and Bureau Veritas inspection for bulk exports.
  
• Full traceability from raw nut origin to finished product.
  

Price Drivers

• Global raw cashew nut prices (African sourcing dependency).
  
• Labor-intensive hand-peeling costs.
  
• Quality grades (W180 and W210 command premium pricing).
  
• Organic and Fairtrade certification costs.
  
• Ocean freight, vacuum packing, and compliance costs.
  

Buyer Confidence Signals

• Kollam is the world’s largest cashew processing hub, supplying premium kernels to 80+ countries.
  
• Backed by CEPCI and KSCDC, ensuring quality, traceability, and fair trade practices.
  
• Globally recognized for hand-peeled cashews with unmatched appearance and taste.
  
• Proven sourcing reliability: blends local and African raw nut sourcing for year-round supply.
  
• Certified, export-ready ecosystem with Fairtrade, Organic, Kosher, and Halal credentials.