Cashew business in Kollam

Aspect of agriculture in the Indian city

The Cashew business in Kollam is based in the eponymous city, which is known as the Cashew Capital of the World.[1] Kollam is the largest processed cashew exporter in the world. As of 2011[update] there were more than 600 cashew processing units in the city. About 800,000 tonnes of raw cashews are imported to the city for processing every year.[2] 80% of India's export quality cashew kernels were prepared in Kollam.[3][4] Kollam has remained the cashew capital of the world since the 1930s.

Nila Cashew packets displayed in a Supermarket at Paravur near Kollam

However high cost of production existing in Kollam due to limited mechanisation and higher minimum wages, stiff competition on the cost front from East Africa and Southeast Asia from an international perspective and Tamil Nadu and East India in domestic perspective are putting a lot of pressure over cashew processing sector of Kollam in recent times.

## History

[edit]

Cashew processing in Old Ages, Relief in Ashramam, Kollam

Cashews were first brought to India by the Portuguese from the native Tupi territory (a Neotropic Divergent Evolutive Zone) in North Eastern Brazil. Portuguese planted them along the coasts of Goa to prevent erosion.[5] Cashew came to Kerala in 1505, when Kolathiri king permitted Portuguese to build a fort in Kannur. The Portuguese, called Paranki in Malayalam planted cashew trees around the fort. Hence cashew trees are also called Parankimaavu in Malayalam and cashew nuts are called Parankiyandi. [6] By the late 16th century Cashew trees started to spread across Kannur and also to other parts of Kerala with laterite soil such as Kollam with considerable Portuguese influence and Kasaragode. During the time of the Portuguese, Dutch and British in the Indian subcontinent, Quilon and its old port were major business hubs for Arabian and Chinese traders. The trees that were brought from Brazil adapted very well to their new home. In the course of time, India became the main centre of cashew cultivation along with other nations in Asia and Africa.

By 18th century the Cashew nuts getting mixed with sand and roasted in open pots (Chattis) became common. The processing in commercial basis of cashew started in Mangalore. In Kanara and Malabar region the business was monopolised by Messers Pierce Leslie and Co. Ltd.

But by 1920s the business was started in Kollam in Kerala State which later became the centre of the trade. As per available written records, in early days the Cashew industry in Kollam was overwhelmingly Cottage Industry. The development of industry in Kollam as industrial units were pioneered by Roch Victoria an Anglo-Indian who migrated from then Ceylon with the assistance of a Swaminathan from Madras State.[7] Modern roasting methods were introduced later in 1925 by an enterprising industrialist named Joseph Periera who started first cashew-nut factory in Kollam. In 1920 itself Kollam entered into world cashew exports market with export of kernels mainly to United States.[8] As per available records it was W.T. Anderson who set up a business under the name Indian Nut Company in Kollam who made the first exports.[9] Indian Nut Company's factory was situated near Ashramam airstrip and the goods were transported using waterways to export through Kochi Port.

In early days of exports the cashew nuts that were fried in pans and kernels extracted, processed and sorted (blanched, graded) and packed in wooden tea chests lined with newspaper before shipping it. This packing reduced shelf life of cashew and hence soon wooden containers were replaced with metal tin containers. This tin cans were vacuumed using hand operated vacuum pumps and were sealed. In 1954 this method was replaced by storing the kernels in cans infused with carbon dioxide primarily to avoid weevil infestation. This method, known as "Vita Packing", is still in use.[10] The health benefits and value of cashew nut were discovered much later. This increased fortunes of cashew in global markets.

By late 1930s the volume of processed cashew, processing capacity and international demand rose manifolds. This necessitated the imports of raw cashew from East Africa to Kollam. To smoothen the import process and ensure price stability of imports the industry leaders formed a 'Cashew Syndicate' and by 1955 this entity was replaced with an institution that had requisite legal framework i.e. the Cashew Export Promotion Council (CEPC) by Government of India. At this time Kollam wielded a monopoly over cashew processing in India. As per Centre for Development Studies a report on an Enquiry into Conditions of Labour in the Cashew-nut processing Industry in India made in 1954 highlights that 75% of cashew factory workers and 72% of cashew factories in India were concentrated at Kollam. During this period the cashew factories had lesser regulations and the workers had to spend long working hours at lesser wages.

In 1960s there were a series of labour law reforms in cashewsector which resulted in shifting of industries to nearby states with lesser regulations. This outward shift reduced Kerala's share in cashew production significantly. However within he state Kollam continued to enjoy its dominance.

Even today many of the cashew businesses in Kollam are family owned and run.[11] The legendary businessmen from Kollam like Thangal Kunju Musaliar were associated with the cashew industry. Nila Cashews, MARK, CDC etc. are some prominent business players currently.

## Cashew exports

[edit]

CEPCI Headquarters in Kollam

India is the largest exporter of cashew kernels and cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). Foreign exchange earned by the country through the export of cashew kernels during 2011-12 reached Rs.4,390 crore based on statistics from the Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI). 131,000 tonnes of kernels were exported during 2011-12. 90% of these export quality cashew kernels are prepared in Kollam.[12] CEPCI and the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation Limited work in Kollam city to promote exports of cashew kernels and cashew nut shell liquid from India. They also protect the interest of workers and attempt to provide maximum employment to the industry's workers and give them statutory benefits such as minimum wages and bonuses.[13][14][15]

The industry provides a livelihood for about 600–700 thousand employees and farmers. In Kollam district alone there are more than 250,000 employees directly involved in the industry, which is about 10 per cent of the population of the district. 95 per cent of these workers are women.[16] There are more than 600 cashew processing units in Kollam with about 800,000 tonnes of raw cashews imported annually to the city for processing.[17] An average of 130,000 tonnes of processed cashews are exported to various countries worldwide every year.[18] As a result, Kollam is known as the "Cashew Capital of the World".[19] CEPCI is expecting a rise in exports to 275,000 tonnes by 2020, growth of 120 per cent over present exports.[20]

Packing materials industrial supplies for the purpose of exports of cashews are fulfilled by different agencies like Golina agencies.

## Largest importers of cashew kernels from Kollam

[edit]

Country  | Exported Quantity  | Value  | Year

|
|
|

USA | 47,611 tonnes  | Rs.1,470.47 Crore  | 2011-12
UAE | 14,173 tonnes  | Rs.606.11 Crore  | 2011-12
Netherlands | 11,517 tonnes  | Rs.365.57 Crore  | 2011-12
Japan | \--  | Rs.237.45 Crore  | 2011-12
Saudi Arabia | \--  | Rs.207.01 Crore  | 2011-12

## CEPCI registered cashew exporters

[edit]

CEPCI registered cashew exporters

Place in Kollam  | Number of Companies[21]
Kilikollur | 25
Thattamala | 2
Kadappakada | 2
Chandanathoppe | 13
Mylom | 1
Parameswar Nagar  | 5
Asramam | 2
Channapetta  | 1
Nallila | 4
Kochupilamoodu | 9
Kunnicode | 1
Pavithreswaram | 1
Valakam | 1
Odanavattam | 2
Mukkoodu  | 1
Ezhukone | 4
Beach Road  | 6
Punalur | 9
Edavattom  | 2
Kottamkara | 1
Kannanalloor  | 1
Kundara | 3
Vadakkevila | 2
Kottarakkara | 2
Peroor  | 6
Decent Junction  | 3
Puthoor | 11
Mangad  | 7
Ayathil | 1
Mundakkal West  | 2
Mundakkal | 2
Perinad | 1
Pathanapuram | 9
Mavadi  | 2
Thamarakkulam | 1
Kuttichira  | 1
Cantonment | 1
Cantonment South  | 1
Lakshminada  | 1
Maranadu  | 1
Downtown | 5

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Kollam no more cashew capital". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
2. ^ Kollam, Ashtamudi Lake - great alternatives to Kochi, Vembanad Lake
3. ^ "Kerala's cashew industry survives on foreign nuts". commodityonline. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
4. ^ "Cashew sector in a tailspin". The Hindu. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
5. ^ K. P. Prabhakaran Nair (2010). The Agronomy and Economy of Important Tree Crops of the Developing World. Elsevier. p. 27\. ISBN 978-0-12-384678-5.
6. ^ "A Quick Guide to Kannur". Outlook Traveller. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
7. ^ "History of cashew trade". Swathy Enterprises. Google Sites. 2009. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
8. ^ "Jayalaxmi Enterprises - Varieties of Cashew Kernels in Different Grades - History of the Cashew Trade in India". jayalaxmi.co.in. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
9. ^ Sajithkumar, G. "National Cashew Day: Export celebrates 100 years; first export done from Kollam". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
10. ^ T. Pradeepkumar (2008). Management of Horticultural Crops. New India Publishing. p. 499\. ISBN 978-81-89422-49-3.
11. ^ "Cashew Nut - Nature's Vitamin Pill". Dulce Rodrigues. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
12. ^ "Rise in earnings from cashew kernel exports". The Hindu. 14 September 2012.
13. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 October 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) CEPCI
14. ^ [1] CEPCI - BS
15. ^ "Mechanisation can save cashew business, say experts". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
16. ^ [2] Cashew Industry in Kerala – Problems and Potentials – Thesis to CUSAT
17. ^ "കൊല്ലം തുറമുഖത്തെ കസ്റ്റംസ് ക്ളിയറന്‍സുകള്‍ ഓണ്‍ലൈന്‍ സംവിധാനത്തിലേക്ക്| madhyamam". Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014. Online Customs Clearance Facility for Kollam Port to be ready in a month
18. ^ [3] Rise in earnings from cashew kernel exports – The Hindu
19. ^ Kollam, Ashtamudi Lake – great alternatives to Kochi, Vembanad Lake
20. ^ [4] CEPCI – Kollam
21. ^ "Expoters Directory - Cashew Exports Promotion Council of India". Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.

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Cashew business in Kollam

History|

* Portuguese Empire
* 4th Portuguese India Armada (Gama, 1502)
* Cashew House

Organisations|

* Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI)
* Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation Limited
* List of cashew companies based in Kollam

Cashew hubs in Kollam|

* Kilikollur
* Chandanathoppe
* Kochupilamoodu
* Puthoor
* Punalur
* Mundakkal
* Pathanapuram

Other related topics|

* Kollam Port
* Cashew

* v
* t
* e

Kollam

History|

* Mar Sapir Iso
* Chera dynasty
* Port of Quilon
* Nelcynda
* Kollam Era (Malayalam calendar)
* Quilon Syrian (Tharisapalli) plates
* Venad
* Rama Rajasekhara
* Rama Varma of Venad
* Dutch Malabar
* 4th Portuguese India Armada (Gama, 1502)
* Portuguese Cemetery
* Buckingham Canal
* St Thomas Fort
* Kollam Cantonment
* Battle of Quilon
* Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon
* Kollam Airport

Geography|

* Quilon formation
* Ashtamudi Lake
* Kollam Parappu
* Asramam Maidan
* Estuaries of Paravur
* Islands of Kollam
* Ithikkara River
* Kallada River
* Kattaka Kayal
* Kollam Beach
* Mundakkal Beach
* Vattakkayal
* Paravur Lake
* Pozhikara
* Polachira
* Sasthamcotta Lake
* Thirumullavaram Beach
* Thekkumbhagam-Kappil Beach
* Chittumala Chira
* Ashramam Biodiversity Heritage Site

Zones|

* Central Zone
* Sakthikulangara
* Kilikollur
* Vadakkevila
* Eravipuram
* Thrikkadavoor

Administration
& authorities|

* Kollam Municipal Corporation
* Kollam Development Authority
* Kollam City Police
* Kollam Taluk
* Kollam Lok Sabha constituency
* Kollam Assembly constituency
* Chavara Assembly constituency
* Eravipuram Assembly constituency

Economy|

* Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI)
* Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL)
* Cashew business in Kollam
* The Kerala Ceramics Limited
* Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd.(KMML)
* Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation Limited
* List of cashew companies based in Kollam
* Parvathy Mills Limited
* Techno-lodge
* Kollam Technopark
* Kollam Port
* Fisheries Industry in Kollam
* Neendakara Port
* List of Seafood Companies in Kollam
* United Electrical Industries Limited(UNILEC)

Visitor
attractions|

* 8 Point Art Cafe
* Asramam Adventure Park & Picnic Village
* British Residency
* Sambranikodi Island
* Thangassery Breakwater Tourism Park
* Asramam Children's Park
* Chinnakada Clock Tower
* Dutch Church, Munroe Island
* Estuaries of Paravur
* Islands of Kollam
* Kollam Beach
* Mahatma Gandhi Park
* Mundakkal Beach
* Portuguese Cemetery
* Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Police Museum
* St Thomas Fort
* Tangasseri Lighthouse
* Paravur Thekkumbhagam
* Thirumullavaram Beach
* Thanni Beach

Healthcare|

| Medical college hospitals|

* Azeezia Medical College Hospital
* Government Medical College, Kollam
* Travancore Medicity Medical College

|

* Government District Hospital
* Government Victoria Hospital
*   * Meditrina Hospital
* N. S. Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences
* ESIC Model & Super Speciality Hospital
* Upasana Hospital
* Shankar's Institute of Medical Science
* Dr. Nairs Hospital
* Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences
* Holy Cross Super Speciality Hospital

Buildings
& structures|

* British Residency
* Cashew House
* Cheena Kottaram
* Crowther Masonic Hall
* Kovilthottam Lighthouse
* SMP Palace
* St Thomas Fort
* Tangasseri Lighthouse
* Thevally Palace
* The Raviz

Shopping centres|

* Bishop Jerome Nagar
* Downtown Kollam
* RP Mall
* H&J Mall

Culture|

* Kalidasa Kalakendram
* Kollam Pooram
* Kottankulangara Festival
* President's Trophy Boat Race
* Kollam Kite Club
* Kollam Public Library
* Kollam Rentha
* Anglo-Indian
* List of statues in Kollam

Sports & stadiums|

* Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium
* International Hockey Stadium
* Olympian Suresh Babu Multipurpose Indoor Stadium

Places of worship|

* Ammachiveedu Devi Temple
* Anandavalleeshwaram Sri Mahadevar Temple
* Asramam Sree Krishna Swamy Temple
* Kolloorvila Juma Mosque
* Infant Jesus Cathedral
* Paravur Puttingal Devi Temple
* Sasthamcotta Sree Dharma Sastha Temple
* St Andrew's Church, Kovilthottam
* St Antony's Church, Kanjiracode
* Valiya Koonambaikulam Temple

Other topics|

* Kollam metropolitan area
* Cashew business in Kollam
* Neendakara Indo-Norwegian Project
* List of schools in Kollam district
* Jatayu Earth's Center
* Kollam CSI Diocese
* Kollam Orthodox Diocese

Education

Universities|

* Sree Narayanaguru Open University

Premier institutions|

* Indian Institute of Infrastructure and Construction
* Institute of Fashion Technology Kerala
* Kerala Maritime Institute
* Kerala State Institute of Design

Engineering colleges|

* Bishop Jerome Institute
* College of Engineering, Perumon
* College of Engineering Karunagappally
* TKM College of Engineering
* TKM Institute of Technology

Arts, science & law colleges|

* Fatima Mata National College
* NSS Law College
* Sree Narayana Guru College of Legal Studies

Schools|

* Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Chandanathope
* Govt. Boys Model HSS
* Kendriya Vidyalaya, Mulangadakam
* Mount Carmel Convent Anglo-Indian Girls High School
* St. Aloysius Higher Secondary School

Other institutes|

* Govt. ITI, Chandanathope
* Sree Narayana Polytechnic College

Neighbourhoods

South Kollam|

* Eravipuram
* Koottikkada
* Mevaram
* Thattamala
* Vadakkevila
* Valathungal

North Kollam|

* Anchalumoodu
* Kavanad
* Kureepuzha
* Maruthadi
* Mathilil
* Ramankulangara
* Sakthikulangara
* Thrikkadavoor
* Vallikeezhu

Central Kollam|

* Andamukkam
* Asramam
* Cantonment
* Chamakada
* Chinnakada
* Cutchery
* Kadappakada
* Karbala
* Kochupilamoodu
* Mulamkadakam
* Mundakkal
* Pattathanam
* Polayathode
* Pullikada
* Thevally
* Thoppilkadavu
* Uliyakovil

East Kollam|

* Ayathil
* Chandanathope
* Chathinamkulam
* Kallumthazham
* Karicode
* Kilikollur
* Punthalathazham

West Kollam|

* Pallithottam
* Tangasseri
* Thamarakulam
* Thirumullavaram

Transport

Road|

| Bus stations|

* Andamukkam City Bus Station
* Kollam KSRTC bus station
* Tangasseri Bus Terminal

|

National highways|

* National Highway 66
* National Highway 183
* National Highway 744
* National Highway 183A
* Kollam Bypass

City roads|

* Asramam Link Road
* Coastal Road
* Port Road
* QAC Road
* Residency Road

Organisations|

* Kerala State Road Transport Corporation
* Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation

Railway|

| Stations|

* Kollam Junction
* Eravipuram
* Kilikollur
* Chandanattop

|

Services|

* Ananthapuri Superfast
* Visakhapatnam Express
* Chennai Egmore Express
* Tirupati Express

Lines|

* Kollam–Thiruvananthapuram line
* Kollam-Ernakulam line
* Kollam–Sengottai line

Sheds &
maintenance yards|

* Kollam MEMU Shed

Air|

* Kerala Seaplane
* Kollam Airport(defunct)

Water|

* Kollam Port
* Kollam KSWTD Boat Jetty
* Kollam Canal
* National Waterway 3

* Category
* WikiProject

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