Tree nuts

Food safety management system certification applicable to raw cashew nuts.

ISO 22000

Certification ensuring fair labor practices and sustainable sourcing for cashew producers.

Fairtrade

Certification for cashews grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, complying with organic standards.

Organic

Kernels showing visible fungal growth, often caused by high moisture or poor storage conditions.

Moldy kernels

Presence of insects or insect damage within the shell, indicating inadequate pest control.

Insect infestation

Physical cracks or splits in the shell that can lead to kernel exposure and quality loss.

Shell cracks

Inclusion of stones, wood fragments, or other non‑nut material mixed with the cashew shells.

Foreign material

Food manufacturers purchase raw in-shell cashews for roasting, salting, and inclusion in snack mixes and confectionery products.

Snack and confectionery industry

Processors buy the in-shell nuts to remove the shell, extract the kernel, and produce shelled cashew kernels for retail and industrial use.

Cashew nut processing

The kernels are pressed to produce cashew oil, which is used in cooking, cosmetics, and specialty applications.

Cashew oil production

Shell residues and lower‑grade kernels are used as protein‑rich feed ingredients for livestock and aquaculture.

Animal feed and by‑product utilization

Raw in‑shell cashews are sold to processors who shell and roast them for direct snack markets.

Snack consumption

The in‑shell nuts are shipped to shelling facilities where the kernels are extracted for use in confectionery, bakery products, and as a base for cashew butter.

Kernel production

Kernels obtained from the in‑shell nuts are pressed to produce edible cashew oil for cooking and food formulation.

Cashew oil extraction

Shell fragments and lower‑grade kernels are processed into feed ingredients for livestock.

Animal feed

Buyers inspect shells for cracks, splits, or damage that could expose kernels to moisture or pests.

Shell integrity

Kernel moisture content

Shells should have a consistent light brown colour without excessive dark spots or discoloration.

Shell colour and uniformity

Kernels should be well‑developed, uniformly sized, and free from deformities that affect processing yield.

Kernel size and shape

Standard 25 kg or 50 kg jute bags used for bulk shipment, allowing ventilation.

Jute bags

Multi‑layer PP bags (e.g., 20 kg) that provide moisture barrier while maintaining flexibility.

Polypropylene (PP) bags

Large bulk shipments in 20‑ft or 40‑ft containers, often with internal liners to protect against moisture.

Bulk containers

Cashews in shell

Benin

Brazil

Burkina Faso

Côte d’Ivoire

Ghana

India

Indonesia

Mozambique

Tanzania

Vietnam

Improper drying or storage can allow Aspergillus fungi to produce aflatoxins in raw cashew kernels, posing serious health risks.

Aflatoxin contamination

The shell of raw cashew nuts contains urushiol, a skin‑irritating toxin similar to poison ivy; if nuts are not properly roasted or processed, the toxin can remain and cause allergic reactions or respiratory irritation.

Urushiol toxin in shells

Cashew kernels are high in mono‑ and poly‑unsaturated fatty acids that oxidize over time, leading to off‑flavors, reduced nutritional quality, and potential formation of harmful oxidation products.

Oxidative rancidity of unsaturated oils

Unscrupulous traders may shell nuts and then reseal them to claim higher prices for in‑shell product, deceiving buyers.

Shelling fraud (selling shelled nuts as in‑shell)

Weevils can infest the nuts while still in the shell, leading to damage and loss of marketability.

Cashew nut weevil (Curculio nucum) infestation

Cashew, raw in-shell is a tree nut harvested with its shell intact and traded as a bulk commodity. It is produced mainly in tropical countries such as India, Vietnam, and several West African nations.

Month	Exports	Imports
Dec 2024	$420K	Not reported
Nov 2024	$736K	Not reported
Oct 2024	$2.4M	Not reported
Sep 2024	$6.4M	Not reported
Aug 2024	$5.7M	Not reported
Jul 2024	$4.9M	$15
Jun 2024	$14.1M	Not reported
May 2024	$42M	$60K
Apr 2024	$148M	Not reported
Mar 2024	$224M	Not reported
Feb 2024	$48.9M	Not reported
Jan 2024	$1.9M	Not reported

Cambodia Cashews in Shell Exports and Imports

Monthly Trade Values