Commodites

The Cashew tree (Anacardium Occidentale), is a tropical evergreen native to the Americas but is now widely cultivated in Asia and Africa. Cashew in its natural form is a soft, white, meaty kernel contained within the hard shells of kidney shaped, raw cashew seeds. Cashew is consumed all over the world as a snack or used as a food ingredient.

The international trade in cashew is still young compared to other commodities; it started only some 70 years ago and trade in this product is relatively unsophisticated. Each year over 1 million metric tons of raw cashew seeds are produced in 19 countries, major producers being India, Brazil, Vietnam, Tanzania, Guinea Bissau, Cote d'Ivoire, Benin, Nigeria, Mozambique and Indonesia.

Sharda's Role In The Cashew Business

Sharda is fully integrated within the entire supply chain of Cashew kernels - right from the farm gate in 15 producing countries, through our processing and packaging facilities in seven origins, to the end user's factory gate across all the five continents.

Sharda's position in the cashew industry is reflected by its unique participation; it is the only company to have significant interests in each segment of the product value chain, viz

Sourcing and marketing the raw seed

Processing of the raw seed to extract the blanched kernels.

Marketing and distribution of the kernels to end users (roasters & salters and bakery / confectionery industry) in all the major consuming markets

Sharda has a diversified sourcing operation in all major cashew growing areas. The success of this operation is built on Sharda's superior origination and logistics capability, excellent relationships with the farmers and other local suppliers, as well as an in-depth understanding of the raw seed quality and value.

A strict measurement and monitoring system allows Sharda to manage these process intensive operations, by maintaining a firm control on costs while at the same time maintaining high standards of quality. This in turn, enables Sharda to deliver high quality kernels to meet the requirements of its customers worldwide.

Sharda's vertical integration and geographical spread, coupled with its innovative model of buying, processing and distributing kernels - has enabled it to build a unique competitive position in the Industry today.

Sharda's Future Strategy

Sharda will continue to consolidate its position by having a more direct presence in other cashew growing origins - through our cashew processing initiatives across these diverse origins, which is unique to the Industry and more importantly fits well into our long tradition of knitting sustainability and community development into our business operations.

Sharda also plans to offer customized risk solutions to our cashew customers in the future.