Cashew Kernels — W180 to W450
White whole, scorched, splits and pieces — graded to AFI standard, vacuum packed and shipped FOB Tema.
The grade your contract names,
lot after lot
A cashew kernel grade is a promise about size, colour and wholeness. Buyers do not want a good average — they want the grade they ordered, in every carton, in every shipment. That consistency is a processing discipline, not a marketing claim.
We grade against the standard maintained by the Association of Food Industries (AFI), the reference used in most international cashew contracts, with BIS and CEPC as further references. Every lot is sized, colour-graded and inspected before packing, and traced back to the region it was grown in.
The grades, and what they mean
The letter describes colour and wholeness. The number is how many whole kernels make up one pound (454g) — so a lower number means a larger kernel, and a higher price.
W180
Roughly 170–180 kernels per lb. The largest white whole grade, known in the trade as the King of Cashews.
W210
Roughly 200–210 kernels per lb. A premium grade for gifting and premium retail.
W240
Roughly 220–240 kernels per lb. Widely specified for premium snacking and confectionery.
W320
Roughly 300–320 kernels per lb. The most widely traded export grade in the world and the default in most contracts.
W450
Roughly 400–450 kernels per lb. The smallest commonly traded white whole grade.
Scorched (SW)
The same size counts with a deeper colour picked up in processing. Identical eating quality at a lower price — the sensible choice wherever the kernel is roasted, coated or ground.
Butts, splits & pieces
Broken grades. Excellent value where appearance does not matter: butter, bakery inclusions, confectionery and ingredient use.
Technical specification
Contract specification. Full documentation, certificates of analysis and sample lots available on request.
Grade range
W180, W210, W240, W320, W450, scorched (SW), butts, splits and pieces
Grading standard
AFI (Association of Food Industries), with BIS and CEPC as reference
Moisture content
[Maximum % to confirm]
Defect tolerance
Per AFI specification for the contracted grade
Packaging
Vacuum-sealed 22.68 kg (50 lb) cartons are the trade standard. [Our formats to confirm.]
Shelf life
[To confirm]
HS code
0801.32 — cashew nuts, shelled
Minimum order
[MOQ to confirm]
Incoterms
FOB Tema — CIF / CFR on request
Origin
Ghana — [growing regions to confirm]
Where each grade goes
Grade choice is driven almost entirely by what happens to the kernel next.
Snacking & retail
Whole white grades — typically W240 and W320 — for salted, roasted and flavoured retail packs.
Confectionery
Whole and split kernels for chocolate, pralines and nut bars.
Bakery & inclusions
Pieces and splits, where flavour and cost matter more than appearance.
Butters & ingredients
Scorched and broken grades milled into butter or used as ingredient stock.
Tell us your grade and volume
Send the grade, tonnage and destination. We reply with a firm quotation and current availability against the harvest calendar.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between W240 and W320?
Size. W240 is roughly 220–240 kernels per pound; W320 is roughly 300–320. Both are white whole kernels of the same quality class — W240 is simply larger and prices accordingly. W320 is the most widely traded grade in the world and the usual default unless a buyer specifies otherwise.
Are scorched grades lower quality?
No. Scorched kernels are whole kernels that picked up a deeper colour during processing. Eating quality and food safety are unaffected. They cost less, which makes them the sensible choice wherever the kernel is roasted, coated, ground or otherwise hidden in a recipe.
What standard do you grade against?
The Association of Food Industries (AFI) specification, the reference used in most international cashew contracts, with BIS and CEPC as further references. Your contract names the standard and grade explicitly.
Can you supply certified or organic lots?
[To confirm.] Our current certification status is listed in full on the quality page. We will not claim a certification we do not hold.
What is the HS code for cashew kernels?
0801.32 for shelled cashew nuts. Raw cashew nuts in shell are 0801.31.
Can we get a sample before ordering?
Yes. Sample lots drawn from production can be sent to qualified buyers. [Sample policy and cost to confirm.]