CorsodoroIf you're sourcing cashew nuts for the first time, the grading system can be confusing. What does W320 mean? Why is W180 three times the price of W450? And which grade should you actually buy for your product?
This guide breaks down the international cashew grading system used in wholesale trade, explains what each grade looks like, and helps you choose the right grade for your application.
How Cashew Grading Works
Cashew kernels are graded primarily by size (count per pound), colour, and integrity (whole vs. broken). The standard is maintained by the Association of Food Industries (AFI) in the United States and is used globally in international trade.
The "W" in W320 stands for "Whole" - meaning unbroken kernels. The number indicates how many whole kernels fit in one pound (454 grams). So:
- W180 = 170-180 kernels per pound (largest)
- W240 = 220-240 kernels per pound
- W320 = 300-320 kernels per pound (most traded)
- W450 = 400-450 kernels per pound (smallest whole)
The lower the number, the larger the kernel, and the higher the price.
Whole Kernel Grades
| Grade | Count / lb | Kernel Size | Typical Use | EUR/kg (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W180 | 170-180 | King size (28mm+) | Premium retail, gift packs, luxury snacks | 12 - 18 |
| W210 | 200-210 | Jumbo | Premium retail, airline snacks | 10 - 14 |
| W240 | 220-240 | Large | Retail snacks, branded nuts, HoReCa | 7 - 10 |
| W320 | 300-320 | Standard | Most traded grade globally. Retail, food service, manufacturing | 5 - 7 |
| W450 | 400-450 | Small | Value retail, food manufacturing, ingredient use | 4 - 6 |
W320 accounts for approximately 60-70% of all cashew trade. If you're new to sourcing cashews, this is the grade to start with - it offers the best price-to-quality ratio and is easiest to source in large volumes.
Broken Kernel Grades (Splits & Pieces)
Not all cashews come out of the shell in one piece. Broken kernels are sorted into separate grades and typically sell at 30-50% below whole kernel prices. They're widely used in food manufacturing.
| Grade | Description | Typical Use | EUR/kg (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| S (Splits) | Natural halves, split along the natural seam | Snack mixes, baking, toppings | 3.5 - 5.5 |
| LP (Large Pieces) | Broken pieces, approx. 3/4 of a whole kernel | Cooking, trail mixes, baked goods | 3 - 5 |
| SP (Small Pieces) | Smaller broken pieces, 1/4 to 1/2 of kernel | Ice cream, cereal, bakery ingredients | 2.5 - 4 |
| SWP (Small White Pieces) | Very small white pieces | Cashew butter, paste, flour | 2 - 3.5 |
| BB (Baby Bits) | Tiny fragments | Cashew butter, industrial use | 1.5 - 3 |
Colour Classification
Within each size grade, cashews are further classified by colour:
- White (W) - Lightest colour, highest premium. Preferred for premium retail.
- Scorched Wholes (SW) - Slightly darker due to higher roasting temperature. Functionally identical, 5-10% cheaper.
- Scorched Pieces (SP) - Broken scorched kernels.
- Dessert (DW) - Darker kernels with surface blemishes. Used in flavoured/coated products where colour is masked.
In practice, the colour distinction matters most for retail snack applications. For food manufacturing (bakery, confectionery, ice cream), scorched and dessert grades offer significant cost savings with no functional difference.
How Origin Affects Grade Availability
Different origins tend to produce different grade distributions:
- Vietnam - World's largest processor. Strong in W240 and W320. Consistent quality, competitive pricing. ~60% of global processing.
- India - Second largest processor. Premium reputation for W180 and W210. Higher price point, excellent flavour profile.
- West Africa (Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Tanzania) - Mainly raw cashew nut (RCN) exporters, but growing processing capacity. Good source for organic and Fairtrade certified.
- Brazil - Smaller volumes, premium quality. Known for large kernel sizes.
How to Choose the Right Grade
For retail snack brands
Start with W240 for a premium product or W320 for mainstream positioning. White colour grade. Request samples from at least 2-3 origins to compare flavour and appearance.
For food manufacturers (bakery, confectionery, dairy)
Consider splits (S) or large pieces (LP) - you'll get the same flavour and nutrition at 30-40% lower cost. If the cashew will be chopped, ground, or mixed into a product, there's no reason to pay for whole kernels.
For cashew butter and paste
Use SWP (Small White Pieces) or BB (Baby Bits). These are the most cost-effective option and produce identical butter quality.
For premium/gift packaging
W180 or W210, white colour grade. These command the highest prices but create a visually impressive product.
When requesting quotes, always specify: grade (e.g., W320), colour (white/scorched), moisture content (max 5%), defect tolerance, origin preference, packaging requirements, and any certification needs (BRC, organic, Fairtrade). See our certification guide for details.
Key Quality Parameters
| Parameter | Specification | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture | Max 5% | Higher moisture = mould risk, shorter shelf life |
| Aflatoxin B1 | Max 2 μg/kg (EU) | EU legal limit. Mandatory testing before import |
| Total aflatoxins | Max 4 μg/kg (EU) | EU Regulation 1881/2006 |
| Defects | Max 5% (grade dependent) | Includes spots, scorching, insect damage |
| Foreign matter | 0% | No shell fragments, stones, or other contaminants |
| Packaging | 25 kg vacuum bags in cartons | Nitrogen-flushed for max shelf life (12 months) |