<p>The cashew processors and exporters lead by the Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI) have expressed concern at sharp surge in fraudulent import of cashew kernel in the country from the competing countries leading to almost closure of the domestic cashew industry. </p><p>In a press statement, the Chairman of CEPCI, Dr R.K. Bhoodes said "The sharp surge in illegal imports of cashew kernels in India has added further woes to the already crisis hit cashew industry.”</p> <p>He said that large scale imports of low quality plain cashew kernels from competing countries have literarily pushed cashew industry to the verge of a closure. If this practice is allowed to be continued, that would lead to the total collapse of the cashew industry in India.</p> At present more than 50% of the cashew related factories are closed down retrenching around 6 Lakhs cashew workers on pan India basis due to these fraudulent imports by a section of traders in the industry, Bhoodes pointed. <br><p></p>