Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Cashew at a Glance..



Cashew products:
White Wholes - W180
White Wholes - W210
White Wholes - W240
White Wholes - W320
White Wholes - W450
White Wholes - W500
Scorched Wholes - SW180
Scorched Wholes - SW210
Scorched Wholes - SW240
Scorched Wholes - SW320
Scorched Wholes - SW450
Scorched Wholes - SW500
Dessert Wholes (DW)
Baby Bits (BB)
Butts (B)
Splits (S)
Large White Pieces (LWP)
Small White Pieces (SWP)
Scorched Wholes Seconds (SSW)
Scorched Butts (SB)
Scorched Splits (SS)
Scorched Pieces (SP)
Scorched Small Pieces (SSP)
Scorched Pieces Seconds (SPS)




Cashew exports revenue likely to increase 25%:
India cashew exports for the current financial year are likely to achieve a revenue increase of 25% over the previous year's performance, thanks to a deprecating rupee and higher unit value realisation. Interestingly, this performance is likely to be achieved on a lesser volume of exports. Export revenue for the first eleven months of the current financial year already exceeds the performance of the previous financial year by 19%.
According to export figures provided by the cashew export promotion council for the first eleven months of the financial year 2008-09, India exported 99,348 tonne of cashew kernels valued at Rs 2,719.79 crore as against 1,03,139 tonne valued at Rs 2,033.88 crore during April-February 2007-08. The performance of the current financial year is 33% higher by value and 3.6% lower by volume, when compared with the same period of last financial year. In dollar terms, the exports performance is seen higher by 18%.
During 2007-08, India exported 1,14,340 tonne of cashew valued at Rs 2,288.90 crore as against 1,18,540 tonne valued at Rs 2,456.15 crore in 2006-07. As against 2007-08, Indian exports started the current financial year on a bright note. Export defaults by Vietnamese exporters saw attention shifting back to India. At the same period price of cashew was soaring high on a reported shortage. Indian exporters' signed contracts above $7 per kg of cashew. The euphoria was short-lived as the global meltdown began to affect export volumes. Big volume buyers were seen cutting short volumes and surviving on the bare-minimum inventory. Cashew being a premium commodity has been the worst hit in the global recession.
Cashew Selection:
Although cashews may be labeled as raw, they are never completely raw since heat is a necessity during the shelling and cleaning process. However, they are more raw than crisp, roasted cashews. Raw cashews may be difficult to find, but roasted cashews are widely available, both salted and unsalted, whole or in pieces. If you are watching your fat intake, choose dry-roasted cashews which have a lower fat content than any other nut.
Cashew Storage:
Cashews are highly perishable and can turn rancid quickly due to their high oil content. Choose vacuum-packed jars or cans over cellophane packaging. Store cashews in a cool, dry place in an airtight container to avoid absorption of other food odors. At room temperature, they will not last long, but if you refrigerate them, they can last up to 6 months. Cashews may also be frozen up to 1 year.
Cashew Measures, Weights, and Equivalents:
• 1 pound cashews = 3-1/4 cups.
• 1 ounce cashews = 14 large or 18 medium nuts.
• 6-1/4 ounce can = 1-1/3 cups.