Tamarind Processing Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh is India's largest producer of tamarind (Tamarindus indica), with major production belts in Kurnool, Prakasam, Nellore, and Guntur districts. Tamarind is harvested from large semi-wild trees in dryland areas, de-hulled, de-seeded, and processed into compressed blocks, wet paste, concentrate, powder, and confectionery for domestic use and export. The value chain employs lakhs of rural women in seasonal de-seeding and packing operations at cooperative processing units. Kurnool district alone accounts for over 4 lakh tonnes annually and houses the Kurnool Tamarind Market, which functions as a commodity exchange setting prices for South India. Tamarind seed kernel powder (TSKP) is a valuable industrial gum for textile sizing, paper, and food additive applications. AP tamarind is exported to the USA, Europe, and the Middle East.