<p></p><p>Cashew exports from the country in April fell sharply in volume and value compared with the corresponding period a year ago. Attributing the decline in shipments to substantial increase in the unit value by 18 per cent, traders said this phenomenon has resulted in cashew kernel becoming slightly less competitive with other tree nuts.</p> <p><b>Kernel shipments </b></p><p>At the same time, there has been a sharp rise in prices of imported raw cashew nuts (RCN) in April. However, the upsurge in the RCN prices will not reflect on kernel prices. Exports of cashew kernels in April stood at 7,318 tons valued at `318.22 crore at a unit value of `434.86 a kg. Shipments in April last year were 9,995 tons valued at `368.05 tons at a unit value of `368.23 a kg.</p> <p><b>Shell liquid exports</b> </p><p>The increase in price of Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CSNL) also led to a decline in its exports in April. Against 612 tons valued at `2.45 crore shipments in April stood at 462 tons valued at `2.23 crore. The unit value rose to `48.30 (`40.02).</p> <p><b>Raw nuts </b></p><p><b></b>I<b></b>mport of raw cashew nuts showed a marginal increase despite sharp rise in its price in other origins. During April this year imports rose to 46,005 tons valued at `341.10 crore at a unit value of `74.14 a kg from 45,737 tons valued at `256.40 crore at the unit value of `56.06 a kg in the same month last year.</p> <p><b>Overall exports</b> </p><p>Total shipments in last financial year rose to a record high with exports rising by over 13 per cent to 1,13,620 tons from 1,00,105 tons in the previous fiscal. Total value realisation stood at `4,975.96 crore against `4,046.23 crore in 2012 -13 despite an increase in the average unit value to `439.34 a kg during the current financial year from the previous year, according to Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI).</p> <p> </p><br><p></p><br><br><br><br>