Karnataka govt. to hold State-level cashew fair in Mangaluru, says Forest Minister

A State-level cashew fair will be organised in Mangaluru in February 2026, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre said here on Friday.

Speaking after visiting the office of the Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation in the city, the Minister said that Dakshina Kannada produced the highest amount of cashew in the State. There is a high demand for cashew seedlings in the district.

There is a high demand for cashew, its value products both in the country and abroad. As domestic production is not enough to meet the demand, cashew is being imported, the Minister said.

The cashew fair will be held in Mangaluru to encourage coastal cashew growers. This will bring cashew growers and cashew industry together, and efforts will be made to further expand the cashew market.

He said that various programmes would be held at the cashew fair, including product exhibitions and seminars. The department will take steps to ensure that cashew growers get scientific prices. All kinds of research, market expansion, and other measures will be taken to encourage cashew cultivation.

Chairperson of Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation Mamata Gatti said that 40,000 tonnes of cashew are being produced in the district. There is a high demand for cashew products in the district. There is also a high demand for cashew seedlings in rural areas.

District in-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, MLC Ivan D’Souza and others were present.