Three-day ‘Kaju Centennial Summit – 2025’ to begin in Mangaluru from November 14

A three-day ‘Kaju Centennial Summit – 2025’ to commemorate 100 years of cashew processing in Mangaluru will start in the city from November 14.

Union Minister of State for Labour, Employment, and MSME Shobha Karandlaje will inaugurate the summit, organised by Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers’ Association (KCMA), Mangaluru, at TMA Pai International Convention Centre. The theme of the summit is ‘Honouring past and embracing future’.

Addressing the press here on Friday (November 7), A.K. Rao, president, KCMA, said that Mangaluru is the birthplace of India’s organised cashew industry.

He said that the first organised cashew factory was established in Mangaluru in 1925 by the British company Peirce Leslie India Ltd., locally known as the Maidan Factory, in Jeppu. In those early years, cashews were exported in tea chests and wooden boxes to Kochi and then shipped abroad, often arriving there spoiled.

In the 1930s, the first packaging innovation — carbon dioxide-infused tin containers — revolutionised cashew exports. This marked the beginning of Mangaluru’s remarkable journey as a pioneer in cashew technology, Mr. Rao said.

Mangaluru has since introduced several firsts to the cashew industry. The mechanical cashew cutting device, popularly called Venkappa’s Kattary, was invented by local mechanic Venkappa, who was from Bunder in Mangaluru. The steam cooking process, still used across the world today, was also first introduced in Mangaluru, he added.

Mr. Rao further said that from five factories in 1940, the industry has grown to over 250 units in and around Mangaluru. Karnataka’s cashew processing capacity has expanded from 70,000 tonnes during 1970–1980 to five lakh tonnes now, accounting for 25% of India’s total cashew processing.

He said that New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) has played a pivotal role in this growth. Raw cashews imported through NMPA cater to Goa, Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

During April-October 2025, NMPA imported 3.45 lakh tonnes of cashew and recorded 44% growth, as opposed to 2.38 lakh tonnes imported last year during the same period. With the East African import season just beginning, imports are projected to cross 5.20 lakh tonnes this year, nearly 45% higher than the previous year.

“Mangaluru’s cashew is now the global benchmark in quality,” Mr. Rao said.

With sustained growth, Karnataka is set to process over 35% of India’s cashew output by 2030, firmly establishing itself as the cashew state of India, the president said.

Kalbavi Prakash Rao, convener, Kaju Centennial Summit, Tukaram Prabhu, vice-president, Amith Pai, secretary, and Ganesh Kamath, treasurer, KCMA, were present.