Srikakulam: Cashew price crashes due to lockdown

Srikakulam: Cashew farmers and owners of processing units are facing tough time in the wake of Covid-19 lockdown. Uddanam area spreading over seven mandals, such as Palasa, Vajrapukotturu, Mandasa, Sompeta, Kaviti, Kanchili and Itchapuram are known for quality cashew crop in the State. Cashew dal of Uddanam area is having good demand across the country. In the wake of Covid-19 lockdown demand for cashew dal has come down because of lack of transportations.

Cashew processing units have now been opened in Uddanam area after easing of lockdown restrictions. There are about 300 processing units. But the demand for cashew is yet to pick up. The price for cashew dal has fallen considerably. Both farmers and owners of cashew processing units are losing their regular earnings.

Price for per kilogram dal of number one variety was Rs 600 in the past and now its price is Rs 500. Second variety price was Rs 500 in the past and now it is Rs 400. Price per 80 kg raw cashew nuts was Rs 11,000 in the past and now it is Rs 7,500. Cashew farmers demanded Rs 15,000 as minimum support price for 80 kg cashew raw nuts bag. They formed as Uddanam Cashew Farmers Association and conducted series of meetings.