RAW CASHEW NUTS WHOLESALE

Quality standards for raw whole cashew nuts (Anacardium occidentale)

The crop season in West Africa is from February-March to June.

There is not a general standard for cashew nuts but some parameters can establish the quality of the cashew and the appreciation on the market

1 – Out-turn / Yield
It is the quantity of almonds we can get after to have decorticated 80 kg of raw cashew nuts. The count is in pounds per 80kg.
A good out turn is from 43 to 48 lbs
An excellent out turn is from 48 to 55 lbs

2-. Nut count
It is the number or raw cashew nuts per kg
170 excellent
180-190 very good
190-200 good
200-210 middle
210-220 low middle
230 limit acceptable
lower: poor
Nota :
– It is necessary to balance this information with the out-turn
– In West Africa most of the raw cashew nuts, depending the year, have a nut count from 190 to 210.

3- Moisture / Humidity
For export 12% and less otherwise there are risks for the goods during the shipping

4- Foreign matter
5% max

5- Defective
Lower than 10%

Nota bene

Some sources in Africa are more valued on the wheat market.
The major importers from Asia and Europe go directly in the bushland to buy
Do not expect to obtain any discount during the season
Offers are valid for a few days only.
No one exporter agree with a payment after arrival to the final port: SGS control before shipping

Cashew kernels classiffication

Cashews are graded on how white they are and how broken the kernel is. There are four color grades, four styles of break on the kernel and six sizes (or maximum number of kernels per pound)

Classification Method 1 – Classified according to grades / with or without basing on number of kernel per kilogram.

Cashew kernels have been classified according to 6 quality levels