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Ahead of the festive season around the world, the export of cashew from Kerala is enjoying a high. Cashew is a highly nutritious dry fruit, which is used in almost every diet, including ice cream, chocolate, sweets and biscuits. Due to increased consumption belt domestically and internationally, the market price of the nut has soared to an all time high. Though, heavy rains during the monsoon this year have lowered the production. In 2009-10, India exported 1, 08,120 tonnes of processed cashew worth 20 billion dollars. "Now, only the world is beginning to recognize the value of cashews. If we process and value add those products, and market those products in international markets, India will get so much foreign exchange," said George Paulose, Chief Executive of AMES Foods Processors India Ltd. International buyers like the United States of America stock up their supplies in advance for Christmas and New Year. According to industry experts, buyers in Europe, Japan and Australia purchase a major portion of their requirement for the next season during the month of September - October. Europe alone consumes 30 per cent of Indian cashew.

Kerala's cashew exports soar ahead of global festive season