INC Chairman Ashok Krishen recently emphasized the strategic importance of positioning India’s Gen Z as a key target segment to drive future nut consumption. Speaking at the Kaju Centennial Summit, where he participated as a guest of honor, Mr. Krishen described Gen Z as a key audience for promoting the consumption of nuts, thanks to their focus on sustainability, health and wellness.
Gen Z’s sheer size—400 million people in India alone—reinforces the importance of this demographic as a driver of consumption. “If each of them consumes 30 grams of nuts daily for 250 days,” declared Mr. Krishen, “half—three million tons—of the world’s tree nut production, which is six million tons, will be consumed only in India.” He went on to highlight the INC’s support for nutrition research on the health benefits of nuts and its strategic goal of obtaining a health claim and advocating for updates to dietary guidelines.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the three-day event, Mr. Krishen also spotlighted the newly launched INC Certification, a first-of-its-kind mark of excellence that will allow INC members to distinguish themselves as leaders in sustainable practices. He also offered a compelling statistical overview of the global tree nut industry—with a particular emphasis on cashews from India—and pointed out the INC’s efforts to advocate for free trade.
Organized by the Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers Association, the Kaju Centennial Summit was held in Mangalore from November 14-16, 2025, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the cashew manufacturing industry in the Indian state of Karnataka.