Cashews

Cashews

The nuts of kidney shape have always been an authentic part of all the culinary around the world. Cashews generally are imported from western, central and eastern regions of African countries. Also, cashew nuts are also being imported in India, processed, packed and distributed in the local markets and even re-exported to international markets.

There are two kinds of cashew trading that are done in the international trade markets:

1. Import and export of raw cashew nuts
2. Import and export of cashew kernels

Standard level specifications for the cashew kernels have been laid down which are as follows:

Grades:

The grading of kernels are done depending upon the color, sizes & shape into white/scorches white pieces, splits, butts, etc., these are as follows:

• W – 180– large in size, expensive (king of cashews).
• W – 210 (Jumbo nuts).
• W – 240– reasonable price (attractive grade).
• W – 320 (highly available worldwide, most popular).
• W – 450 – cheapest (smallest, white whole kernels).
• Scorched wholes – slight brown color.
• Butts, splits and pieces – are of lower prices (usually used in cooking and making sweets).

Various internal inspection checks are:

1. Count check – the grades are checked for their counts
2. Taste check – checked for its taste and odor
3. Infestation – checked for insects, live, dead larva inside the kernel hollows
4. Clumping – after packaging, packets are randomly selected and opened to check clumps
5. Foreign bodies

Pre-Shipment Inspection and Quality Control

The pre-shipment is done as per the prescribed standards by basically drawing samples from the finished products. Inspection and quality control are conditional of voluntary actions.

Packaging and standard weight

Cashews in bulk are packed in prime tins of 4 gallons having a net weight of 11.34 kg (25lbs). The tins are vacuumed, then filled with carbon dioxide and finally sealed. 2 of these tins of the same grades are packed together in a carton and exported. The weight of the carton is around 50 lbs. (net weight).

Our company has been the prime trader of agro commodities products in which it acts as a prime supplier of raw cashew nut traders and cashew processors in India and cashew kernels traders in the USA.