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Kollam, one of Kerala’s oldest port cities, is a historically significant industrial and commercial hub with a unique mix of traditional export-driven industries and modern manufacturing sectors. Known globally for its cashew processing industry, Kollam also plays a vital role in coir, seafood, food processing, chemicals, rubber, tiles, glass, and industrial machinery manufacturing. In 2026, Kollam continues to be a cornerstone of Kerala’s industrial economy.
Kollam is internationally recognized as the cashew capital of the world. The district hosts hundreds of cashew nut processing factories supplying premium-quality processed cashews to global markets.
Key Strengths:
Cashew nut processing & grading
Export-oriented manufacturing units
Large-scale employment generation
Global supply chain integration
Coir manufacturing is a traditional backbone industry in Kollam, supported by abundant coconut resources.
Major Products:
Coir yarn & ropes
Mats, mattings & geotextiles
Export-quality coir products
With its coastal location, Kollam has a strong seafood processing and export industry.
Industry Segments:
Fish and shrimp processing
Freezing & cold storage facilities
Marine exports
Kollam supports a diverse food processing ecosystem, including meat, packaged foods, and agro-based products.
Processing Areas:
Meat and poultry processing
Ready-to-eat food units
Agro and packaged food products
Chemical manufacturing units in Kollam produce industrial and specialty chemicals supporting multiple sectors.
Applications:
Industrial chemicals
Processing chemicals
Specialty and allied products
Kerala’s rubber belt supports rubber processing and value-added rubber manufacturing in Kollam.
Rubber Products:
Rubber sheets & compounds
Industrial rubber goods
Automotive rubber components
Kollam has rich deposits of clay and mineral resources, enabling strong tile, ceramic, and glass manufacturing industries.
Key Outputs:
Clay bricks & tiles
Ceramic products
Glass manufacturing & processing
Kollam is well-known for matchstick manufacturing and umbrella production, supplying markets across India.
Traditional Manufacturing:
Safety match units
Umbrella manufacturing & exports
Cottage and MSME-driven production
Kollam’s coastal belt contains valuable radioactive heavy minerals, making it a strategically important mining and processing region.
Minerals Include:
Ilmenite, rutile, zircon
Rare earth and heavy mineral sands
Industrial mineral processing
Kollam supports industrial machinery manufacturing, supplies, and railway-linked industrial services.
Industrial Activities:
Machinery manufacturing & repair
Industrial equipment supplies
Railway maintenance and allied works
Strong legacy of export-driven industries
Coastal advantage and port connectivity
Skilled traditional and industrial workforce
Rich mineral and natural resources
Balanced growth of MSMEs and large industries
Kollam stands as a unique blend of heritage industries and modern industrial capabilities in Kerala. With global leadership in cashew processing, strong presence in coir, seafood, food processing, chemicals, rubber, tiles, glass, heavy minerals, and industrial machinery, Kollam remains a critical driver of Kerala’s industrial growth in 2026 and beyond.