Daijiworld News Network – Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Apr 18: Chairman of Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI) Walter D’Souza has noted that cashew exports during the financial year 05-06 have seen a downward trend. The fall has been a significant 7 per cent when compared to the exports made in the previous year.

As against export of 1, 26,667 metric tones valued at Rs 2,709 crore during 04-05, the export for 05-06 stood at 1, 14,143 metric tonnes valued at Rs 2,515 crore.

It is also noteworthy that cashew export reached the highest last year with a quantum jump of 50 per cent over the preceding year. The marginal decline of 7 per cent was due to decline in prices during the last quarter of the financial year about 15 per cent and the consequent request from overseas buyers to postpone part of the shipments originally scheduled for March 2006 to April-June 2006.

The strike at the Cochin port during March also resulted in the delay of a part of the export to April.

Walter also revealed the major promotional events which are planned during the year. The Kaju Fest organized by the Karnataka Cashew Manufactures Association from April 21 24 in Bangalore is being supported by CEPCI.  This event has also the aim to attract IT professionals from the Silicon Valley of India, who can be ambassadors for cashew in the different countries where they will travel.