Cashew processors and exporters in the state have urged the Union commerce and industry ministry to take steps to promote and exportPalasa cashew.

Palasa and Kasibugga inSrikakulamdistrict are the biggest cashew processing centres in the state with over 300 processing units. All units together produce over 60,000 kilos of cashew kernels per day and have an annual turnover between Rs 250 to Rs 300 crore.

While Palasa cashew is famous for its rich taste and unique flavour, traders have failed to export it to other countries. Cashew manufacturers in Srikakulam have been importing raw cashew from Ghana, Ivory Coast, Benin, Tanzania, Indonesia and other countries through the sea route.