Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Nov 7: The Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers Association (KCMA) will host the Cashew Centenary Summit 2025 in Mangaluru from November 14 to 16, announced KCMA president A K Rao at a press conference. He stated that the three-day mega event is being organized to commemorate 100 years of the cashew processing industry in Mangaluru, the birthplace of India’s organized cashew sector.
A K Rao highlighted that the first organized cashew factory in India was established in Mangaluru in 1925 by the British company Pierce Leslie India Ltd, locally known as the Maidan Factory at Jeppu. In the early years, cashew kernels were exported to Cochin in tea and wooden boxes before being shipped abroad, often resulting in spoilage. The introduction of carbon dioxide–infused tin containers in 1930 revolutionized the export process, marking a milestone in cashew technology and the beginning of Mangaluru’s remarkable journey in the industry.
From just five factories in the 1940s, the industry has now grown to over 250 units in and around Mangaluru. Karnataka’s cashew processing capacity has expanded from 70,000 MT in the 1970s–80s to over 500,000 MT today, accounting for nearly 25% of India’s total processing volume. The New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) has played a vital role in this growth, facilitating imports that supply cashews to Goa, Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
Between April and October 2025, NMPA handled 345,133 MT of cashew imports, a significant increase from 238,880 MT in the previous year—marking a record 44% growth. With the East African season underway, imports are expected to exceed 520,000 MT this year, nearly 45% higher than last season. Mangaluru’s cashew products now meet global quality standards, positioning the region as one of India’s fastest-growing cashew hubs, he added.
The inaugural ceremony of the Cashew Centenary Summit 2025 will be held on November 14, with union minister of state for labour, employment, and MSME Shobha Karandlaje as the chief guest. D Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala; U T Khader, Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly; D Vedavyas Kamath, MLA, Mangaluru South; Dr Venkata Ramana Akkaraju, chairman, NMPA; Ashok Krishnan, chairman, International Nut Council (Spain); Vasudeva Barkur, executive director, ETG Group; and René Gaudrion, supply chain expert and former VP, Olam International, will be among the distinguished guests.
Over 120 stalls will showcase the latest in cashew processing technology, machinery from India and Vietnam, and innovative product lines.
Industry experts will discuss key topics, including emerging global market trends, the shift from traditional trade to e-commerce and quick commerce, marketing strategies to boost domestic consumption from 7–8% to 12–13% annually, and strategies to achieve a national production target of 2.5 million MT by 2030.
KCMA conveners Kalbavi Prakash Rao, vice-president Tukaram Prabhu, treasurer Ganesh Kamath, and Subraya Pai were present at the press meet.