The cashew processing sector in Kerala has ground to a halt as severe cargo delays choke the entire supply chain. Shipping bottlenecks, especially around the critical Strait of Hormuz, have hit the industry from ends, blocking the import of raw cashew nuts (RCN) and stalling the export of finished kernels. Exporters are facing a severe crisis as shipments to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have almost stopped moving. With finished goods stuck in transit and payments delayed, cash-strapped private factory owners have been forced to down their shutters.