Quality standards for raw whole cashew nuts (Anacardium occidentale)

The crop season in West Africa is from February-March to June.

There is not a general standard for cashew nuts but some parameters can establish the quality of the cashew and the appreciation on the market

1 – Out-turn / Yield
It is the quantity of almonds we can get after to have decorticated 80 kg of raw cashew nuts. The count is in pounds per 80kg.
A good out turn is from 43 to 48 lbs
An excellent out turn is from 48 to 55 lbs

2-. Nut count
It is the number or raw cashew nuts per kg
170 excellent
180-190 very good
190-200 good
200-210 middle
210-220 low middle
230 limit acceptable
lower: poor
Nota :
– It is necessary to balance this information with the out-turn
– In West Africa most of the raw cashew nuts, depending the year, have a nut count from 190 to 210.

3- Moisture / Humidity
For export 12% and less otherwise there are risks for the goods during the shipping

4- Foreign matter
5% max

5- Defective
Lower than 10%