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Cashew Nuts

El Nino tends to reduce flowering in West African cashew trees, leading to lower nut set. Dry conditions during flowering (December-February) are critical.

Current Price
$1,050
per MT (RCN)
+5.1% (30d)
Projected
$1,100 - $1,250 within 3 months

Growing Regions

Click a region for details. Circles colored by risk level, sized by production significance.

Origin Comparison

Origin Production Quality Notes Price Range Key Advantage
Ghana OUR ORIGIN 140,000 MT RCN/yr Good nut count (180-200/kg), consistent quality $900 - $1,100/MT RCN 43.8% of global in-shell exports, reliable quality
Ivory Coast 900,000 MT RCN/yr Variable quality, massive scale $800 - $1,050/MT RCN #1 volume worldwide, competitive pricing
Tanzania 250,000 MT RCN/yr Good quality, improving infrastructure $850 - $1,000/MT RCN Growing fast, government-backed processing
Mozambique 180,000 MT RCN/yr Good nuts, rebuilding industry $800 - $950/MT RCN Growth potential, lower competition
Vietnam (kernels) 3,600,000 MT processed Excellent processing, all kernel grades $5,800 - $6,500/MT W320 World's processing hub, full grade range

Seasonal Calendar

Good time to buy Neutral Peak prices / low supply

Jan
wait
Pre-harvest, stocks tight
Feb
neutral
Early harvest West Africa
Mar
buy
Peak harvest Africa
Apr
buy
Harvest continues, good supply
May
buy
Late harvest, processing ramps
Jun
neutral
Post-harvest, RCN available
Jul
neutral
Processing season
Aug
neutral
Kernels hitting market
Sep
neutral
Steady supply from processors
Oct
buy
E. Africa harvest (Tanzania)
Nov
neutral
Indian/Vietnam processing peak
Dec
wait
Stocks declining, prices firm

Price Drivers

West African harvest timing and volumes set the annual price tone
Vietnam/India processing capacity and RCN demand drive raw nut prices
Kernel demand from US, EU, and emerging Asian snack markets
Currency fluctuations in producing countries affect FOB pricing
Shipping costs and container availability from West African ports
Quality metrics (nut count, KOR) vary by origin and season

Supply Outlook

The 2026 West African cashew crop is expected to be moderate. Ivory Coast remains the dominant supplier, with Ghana and Tanzania growing their share. Vietnam continues to dominate processing, handling over 60% of global RCN.

Kernel prices have stabilized after the volatility of 2024-2025. Demand from snack food manufacturers in the US and Europe remains strong, and Indian domestic consumption is growing rapidly.

We recommend securing RCN positions early in the harvest season (March-April) for best pricing. For kernel buyers, forward contracts with Vietnamese processors offer the most stable pricing. Our Ghana and Nigeria origins provide consistent quality with direct farm-to-port traceability.

Best Time to Buy

Best RCN prices March-May during peak African harvest. For kernels, August-October offers competitive pricing as processed volume from the Africa crop hits the market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does W320 mean for cashew kernels?
W320 refers to 'Whole' kernels with a count of 300-320 nuts per pound (roughly 660-700 per kg). It is the most widely traded grade globally. Lower numbers like W240 indicate larger, more premium kernels. Other grades include W450 (smaller), splits, butts, and pieces at progressively lower prices.
Do you supply raw cashew nuts (RCN) or processed kernels?
We supply both. Our primary offering is RCN (Raw Cashew Nuts in shell) from Ghana and Nigeria, ideal for buyers with their own processing capacity or who supply processors in Vietnam/India. We also source processed kernels (W180 through W450, splits, and pieces) through our processing partners.
What is KOR and why does it matter?
KOR (Kernel Outturn Ratio) measures the weight of usable kernels extracted from raw nuts, expressed in pounds per 80kg bag. A KOR of 48-52 lbs is good, meaning roughly 27-29% of the raw nut weight converts to usable kernels. Higher KOR means better value per MT of RCN purchased. Ghana and Ivory Coast typically achieve KOR of 46-52.
We Supply Cashew Nuts

Get a Competitive Quote

Origin Direct sources cashew nuts directly from producers in our network. We handle logistics, quality control, and documentation from origin to your warehouse.

  • Direct from verified producers
  • Full traceability and documentation
  • Quality inspection before shipment
  • CIF/FOB delivery worldwide