Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormRoasted (ready-to-eat)
Industry PositionValue-added Snack Food
Market
Unsalted roasted cashew nuts in India sit downstream of a large domestic cashew cultivation base and a sizeable processing sector that also relies on imported raw cashew nuts for throughput. APEDA highlights India’s cashew production growth in 2023–24 and notes the industry challenge of dependence on imported raw cashew nuts. Major cultivation is concentrated in peninsular/coastal states, and the main harvest season is typically late winter through late spring (often February–May, extending to June in some references). Food-safety compliance for ready-to-eat nuts (notably aflatoxin control and allergen labelling) is a central market-access requirement for branded retail and export programs.
Market RoleMajor processor and exporter; import-dependent for raw cashew nuts
Domestic RoleLarge domestic consumer market for roasted nuts and ingredient use (sweets, bakery, foodservice)
SeasonalityPrimary harvest is concentrated in late winter to late spring; processing and roasted-kernel availability are effectively year-round due to storage and imported raw-nut supply.
Risks
Food Safety HighAflatoxin contamination is a trade-stopping risk for ready-to-eat nuts: India’s food-safety guidance notes a 10 µg/kg limit for ready-to-eat nuts, and importing markets such as the EU set maximum levels and conduct official controls; non-compliance can trigger rejection, recall, or delisting.Implement lot-based mycotoxin testing and storage controls (drying, moisture-proof warehousing, packaging integrity), and qualify suppliers with verified aflatoxin preventive controls before roasting/packing.
Regulatory Compliance MediumLabel non-compliance can block retail and e-commerce channels in India; FSSAI labelling regulations require allergen declaration for tree nuts (including cashew) via a 'Contains…' statement.Use an India-specific label checklist and verify allergen, batch/lot coding, and mandatory declarations against the latest FSSAI Labelling & Display Regulations before printing.
Worker Health And Safety MediumProcessing-line worker health issues (heat exposure near furnaces/roasters and contact with cashew nut shell liquid during upstream handling) have been documented in Kerala cashew-processing units, creating operational and ESG audit risk for buyer-approved supply programs.Audit for PPE, ventilation/heat controls, ergonomics, medical surveillance and documented training; require corrective-action closure as a condition of supplier approval.
Supply Chain MediumAPEDA notes the Indian cashew industry’s reliance on imported raw cashew nuts; this import dependence can disrupt processor throughput and the availability/pricing of roasted kernels when origin-crop or trade disruptions occur.Diversify raw-nut sourcing origins, maintain buffer stocks across harvest transitions, and contract with multiple processors to reduce single-cluster disruption risk.
Logistics MediumSea-freight volatility and route disruptions can raise imported raw-nut input costs and disrupt export dispatch schedules for India-based roasted-kernel programs.Use flexible shipping windows, dual-port routing options where feasible, and cost escalator clauses or forward freight arrangements for large programs.
Sustainability- Supply security focus: official export-promotion material highlights sector reliance on imported raw cashew nuts, increasing exposure to external shocks for processors supplying roasted kernels.
Labor & Social- Occupational health risk in processing clusters (e.g., reported health problems among female cashew-processing workers in Kollam linked to furnace heat and contact with cashew nut shell liquid), requiring strong worker safety controls in supplier audits.
FAQ
What aflatoxin limit applies in India for ready-to-eat roasted nuts like unsalted roasted cashews?FSSAI’s aflatoxin guidance note lists a maximum limit of 10 µg/kg for ready-to-eat nuts (and 15 µg/kg for nuts intended for further processing).
When is the main cashew harvest season in India that feeds the cashew processing supply chain?State cultivation guidance and cashew-sector references commonly describe the main harvesting season as February to May in India, with some references extending into June.
What allergen declaration is required on Indian labels for packaged roasted cashews?FSSAI’s Labelling and Display Regulations require allergens to be declared in a separate 'Contains…' statement; tree nuts including cashew nuts are part of the allergen list (declared as 'Nut' in the regulation).