How cashew kernels are graded by size, colour and wholeness, what codes such as W240, W320, SW and LWP mean, and what to put in a purchase specification.
5 min read
Cashew kernels are sold by grade, and the grade drives the price. A buyer who asks only for "cashews" will receive quotes that cannot be compared, because one supplier is pricing large white wholes and another is pricing pieces.
This guide explains the common grade codes and what a purchase specification should contain. Grade names and tolerances differ slightly between standards and origins, so always state which standard your contract follows and check the limits in that document.
The three things a grade describes
Every cashew grade is a combination of three attributes:
- Wholeness. Whether the kernel is whole, split lengthwise, broken crosswise or in smaller pieces.
- Colour. How pale and uniform the kernel is. Colour reflects how the nut was handled and heated during processing.
- Size. For whole kernels, the number of kernels per pound. For pieces, the size of the fragment.
Whole white kernels: the "W" grades
"W" stands for white wholes. The number that follows is the approximate maximum number of kernels per pound (about 454 grams). The lower the number, the larger the kernel.
| Grade | Count per pound | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| W180 | Up to about 180 | The largest common grade, limited in supply and priced at a premium |
| W210 | Up to about 210 | Large kernels, often sold as "jumbo" |
| W240 | Up to about 240 | Large to medium, popular for premium snack packs |
| W320 | Up to about 320 | Medium size and one of the most widely traded grades |
| W450 | Up to about 450 | Smaller whole kernels at a lower price |
Colour grades
Colour is assessed alongside size. Standards use slightly different names, but the general ladder is:
- White. Pale ivory to light ash, the top colour grade.
- Scorched. Slightly darker, from light brown to deeper ivory, caused by more heat during processing. Scorched wholes are coded SW, often with a count, for example SW240 or SW320.
- Second scorched and dessert. Darker or discoloured kernels, sometimes with spotting or shrivelling. Codes such as SSW (scorched wholes seconds) and DW (dessert wholes) are used for these.
Lower colour grades are the same nut and are safe to eat when they meet the standard. They cost less and are widely used where appearance matters less, for example in roasting, coating or cooking.
Broken grades
Kernels break during shelling, peeling and handling. Broken kernels are sorted by shape and size.
| Common code | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| B or WB | Butts | Kernels broken crosswise, with the two halves still joined |
| S or WS | Splits | Kernels split lengthwise into natural halves |
| LWP or LP | Large white pieces | Kernels broken into more than two pieces, above a set size |
| SWP or SP | Small white pieces | Smaller pieces, below the large-piece size |
| BB | Baby bits | Very small fragments |
Scorched versions carry an "S" prefix in many standards, for example scorched butts, scorched splits and scorched pieces. Abbreviations differ between origins, so write out the full grade name in the contract as well as the code.
Broken grades suit uses where the kernel will be chopped, ground or blended in any case: confectionery, bakery, ice cream, cashew butter, pastes and cooking sauces. Buying wholes for these uses adds cost without adding value.
Which standard applies
Several standards are used in the trade, including the specifications published by the Association of Food Industries (AFI) in the United States, the UNECE standard for cashew kernels, and national standards in major processing countries. They share the same logic but differ in grade names and tolerances.
Name the standard in your enquiry and contract. Where a supplier's own grade description differs, ask for its written definition.
What a grade does not tell you
A grade code describes size, colour and wholeness. It does not by itself fix the quality parameters that matter most at destination. A complete specification also covers:
- Moisture. Kernels are dried to a low moisture level so that they stay crisp and stable. Widely used specifications commonly set a maximum of about 5 percent. Confirm the limit in the standard you are using.
- Tolerance for brokens and for the next lower grade. Every standard allows a small share of broken kernels and smaller kernels within a whole grade. Know the limit you are buying against.
- Defects. Limits for scorched tips, spots, shrivelled kernels, adhering testa (the thin skin) and insect damage.
- Foreign matter and infestation. Lots should be free from live insects and foreign material.
- Food safety limits. Aflatoxins, pesticide residues, microbiological criteria and allergen labelling are regulated in the importing country. Limits vary by market and change over time, so confirm the current requirements with your customs broker or food-safety adviser.
Packaging
Kernels are sensitive to oxygen, moisture, odours and insects. Export packing is designed to keep them out.
Vacuum-packed flexible bags flushed with an inert gas, packed in cartons, are the most common format. A carton of 22.68 kg (50 lb), often as two bags, is a widely used size.
State the packing format, net weight per carton and marking you need.
How to write the specification
A clear cashew enquiry includes:
- product: cashew kernels, raw (unroasted) or roasted, and whether organic or conventional,
- grade name and code, and the standard it refers to,
- origin, if you have a preference,
- quantity and packing format,
- maximum moisture and broken tolerance,
- required certificates and laboratory analyses,
- Incoterm and destination port.
For anything beyond a trial order, agree an inspection before shipment that includes a count per pound, a broken percentage and a moisture reading. Our guide to pre-shipment inspection explains how this works, and how cashews are processed explains where grade differences come from.
Request a cashew quote
Sila Trade X is a trading company that helps buyers source cashew products. To receive a comparable price, request a quote with the grade, quantity, packing and destination. If you are unsure which grade suits your use, tell us the application and we will suggest options.
This article is general guidance, not legal, tax or customs advice. Rules change; confirm requirements for your shipment with the relevant authorities.
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