ETG Agro commissions nut processing unit in Gujarat

ETG Agro India Limited has commissioned a 10,000 tonne nut processing plant in Kheda district of Gujarat, that will create 100 jobs. Apart from processing almond, walnuts, pistachios and cashews the company in the coming year aims to manufacture nuts ingredients meant for sweets, biscuits, ice-creams and other user industries.

For the year 2021-22, the company is estimating the sales of over 8,000 tonne nuts.

Originally a pulses processor, ETG Agro India’s move to add this new product line and open a new revenue stream comes on the heels of rising demand for nuts in the Indian market, Parage Gadre, CEO, ETG Agro India said. The plant’s processing capacity is over 10,000 tonne raw almonds per annum which will soon expand to walnuts, pistachios, and cashews.
"Presently we are observing some interesting trends in consumption of staples and overall snacking at home. Consumers across demographics and age groups are exercising increasing health consciousness,including mental health while making choices for bites at home.ETG PRO Nuts plant aims to deliver pure and hygienic nuts to the consumer while being a solid partner to India’s nuts traders and institutional buyers," he said.

The company will be sourcing nuts such as walnuts and cashews from domestic growers and almonds from global origins such as the USA and Australia. In India per capita consumption of nuts is 60-70gm per annum, while in the global market consumption is over 550g per annum.

The company's long term strategic business plan is to diversify into growing foods, commodities, value added processed staples, plant-based protein applications and ingredients, said Gadre. "In the near future, the plant also aims to produce nuts ingredients meant for sweets, biscuits, ice-creams, and other user industries,"he said.

The company has employed a workforce of over 100 local women after imparting requisite skill sets to operate the sorting line of the plant and in the next two years, it aims to provide direct employment to 300 women from the local community.