The traditional cashew industry in Kerala is centralized in Kollam District. Kollam is approved by the central government as a “centre of cashew industry”. The Kerala State Cashew Workers Apex Industrial Co-operative Society (CAPEX) is one of the two state agencies and the only one co-operative entity engaged in the cashew processing sector in Kerala. CAPEX as the apex body of ten societies had been registered in September 1984 under Kerala Co. operative Societies Act 1969 with head quarters at Kollam.
The main object of the Apex society is to organize Cashew Industry in the State on commercial basis, rendering assistance to the affiliated ten societies, in the matter of procurement and distribution of raw-nuts, making available funds for processing and marketing of kernels and other items produced in the factories of the affiliated societies. CAPEX commenced its commercial activities in the middle of 1985