love the taste of roasted cashew nuts?

Well, plant a cashew tree and while you wait for it to grow, find a nice piece of galvanised sheeting that can be fashioned into an old-time roasting pan.

Regarded as a luxury item, cashew nuts can now take their place among the list of foods that, for the average consumer, are either a rare treat or simply inaccessible.

This is as a result of a significant increase in the price of the commercially produced and packaged variety of cashews, sold in large and small groceries.

But the retailers who expect the price changes to affect them the most are the ’suitcase’ vendors who ply their trade along the sides of the street and make a living off the cravings of passers-by.

They now feel that a small pack of cashews- one of the most popular items- will now become a non-seller.

Up to some weeks ago, the small pack produced by several local commercial snack houses retailed for $5 and in some cases, $6.

This has now gone up to $8 and in some cases $9.

Most companies produce two sizes- small and large- and a large pack is now being sold for $15 and in some places, $16.

This is up from $10 and sometimes, $12.

Several grocers told the Business Express last week that the price changes have come after several years at the previous prices and are due to higher prices being paid by the producers for the nut itself and higher wage and transport costs across the board.

The $5 cottage-produced packet, sold mostly by ’nutsmen’ have not yet increased but one such vendor said the change many be made before the end of the year.