W180
Premium whole kernels
Largest whole-kernel grade for buyers selling appearance first.
- Defects max
- 8% max
- Color
- Uniform light
- Best use
- Gift packs, premium retail, gourmet applications
Export buyer guideReviewed June 29, 2026
Vietnam cashew export, graded for buyers
W180, W240, W320 and W450 grade specifications, certification requirements, shipment terms, and the questions to ask before committing to a Vietnamese cashew program.
Global kernel supply share
70-80%
Vietnam remains one of the world's dominant cashew-processing hubs.
Core domestic origin
Binh Phuoc
Vietnam's best-known cashew-growing province for export programs.
Moisture maximum
5.0%
Applied across the grade range in the current page specification.
Typical FCL loading band
20-25 MT
Useful reference for whole-kernel bulk contracting.
Vietnam origin
Binh Phuoc is Vietnam's most recognized cashew-growing province — a credible origin anchor for retail, ingredient and private-label programs.
Grade by channel
Each grade is matched to a sales channel — from gift-pack retail to cost-led manufacturing — so you can spec the right lot before sampling.
Contract ready
Logistics, certifications and release controls are documented in the format procurement teams need to move from inquiry to purchase order.
01 · Why Vietnam
What sourcing from Vietnam means for your cashew program.
Vietnam combines the processing scale, shipment frequency and grade vocabulary that simplify cashew procurement for cross-border buyers. The right supplier commits to a named grade with documented release criteria and consistent pack formats — not just a price per tonne.
Binh Phuoc is Vietnam's most recognized cashew-growing province and signals domestic processing expertise. Many programs also process traceable imported raw material alongside domestic crop — a normal practice in the trade that buyers should clarify in contracts when sourcing at scale.
What a credible supplier confirms upfront
- Industrial-scale processing with year-round export availability.
- AFI-style grading language that global buyers already understand.
- Binh Phuoc origin strength combined with traceable imported raw material programs.
- Broad certification availability for retail, ingredient and private-label channels.
02 · Grade map
Choose by sales channel, not just kernel count.
Size, defect tolerance and channel fit — the three variables that determine which grade belongs in your contract.
W240
High-volume premium trade
The most balanced grade for quality, size and cost.
- Defects max
- 8% max
- Color
- Light to medium
- Best use
- Mainstream retail, snack manufacturing, confectionery
W320
Commercial whole kernels
Often the strongest value point for processors and large-volume buyers.
- Defects max
- 8% max
- Color
- Natural variation acceptable
- Best use
- Industrial ingredients, baked goods, foodservice
W450
Budget whole kernels
Best for programs where cost efficiency matters more than visual size.
- Defects max
- 8% max
- Color
- Mixed acceptable
- Best use
- Cost-led food manufacturing and mass-market snack lines
| Grade | Count | Moisture max | Defects max | Primary use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W180 | 170-180 kernels/lb | 5.0% | 8% max | Gift packs, premium retail, gourmet applications |
| W240 | 220-240 kernels/lb | 5.0% | 8% max | Mainstream retail, snack manufacturing, confectionery |
| W320 | 300-320 kernels/lb | 5.0% | 8% max | Industrial ingredients, baked goods, foodservice |
| W450 | 400-450 kernels/lb | 5.0% | 8% max | Cost-led food manufacturing and mass-market snack lines |
03 · Release controls
Four controls to request before accepting a cashew lot.
01
Incoming raw material control
Request aflatoxin test results, moisture readings and foreign-matter records before the lot enters processing.
02
In-process grading
Ask for shelling, sorting and optical grading records that confirm the grade language in your contract.
03
Final release testing
Require a COA confirming microbiology, moisture and defect tolerances before shipment is released.
04
Batch documentation
Ensure COA, traceability records and certification copies are tied to the specific shipped lot, not the factory in general.
FSSC 22000ISO 22000:2018SQF Level 3HACCPOrganic (NOP / EU)Rainforest AllianceKosherHalalGMO-Free
04 · Logistics and trade terms
The quote should already answer the shipment questions.
Confirm these terms in writing before sampling and freight discussions begin.
- 01 Port of export
- Cat Lai Port, Ho Chi Minh City
- 02 Trade terms
- FOB Ho Chi Minh City or CIF major destination ports
- 03 Payment terms
- L/C at sight, or T/T 30% deposit and 70% against B/L copy
- 04 Minimum order
- 20,000 lbs LCL or 20-25 MT full container
- 05 Lead time
- 7-14 business days ex-stock; 14-21 days for custom processing
- 06 Packaging
- 1 kg vacuum packs, 5 kg kraft bags, 25 kg multi-wall kraft bags and custom vacuum formats
05 · Buyer checklist
Questions that separate a real offer from a trading sheet.
These prompts help a buyer turn a generic inquiry into a usable commercial brief before samples and freight discussions begin.
- 01
Which grade is correct for the final channel: visual retail, ingredient processing or cost-led manufacturing?
- 02
Are defect tolerance, color range and moisture stated in the commercial contract, not only in the brochure?
- 03
Which certification set is lot-specific and which one is only factory-level capability?
- 04
What packaging and vacuum format protects the product on the actual route and storage condition?
Importer FAQ
The first questions buyers usually ask.
01 What is the difference between W180, W240, W320 and W450 cashews?
The main difference is kernel count per pound, which changes average size, appearance and commercial use. Lower counts such as W180 indicate larger kernels, while W450 is smaller and usually more cost-driven.
02 Which cashew grade is most common for export?
W240 is commonly treated as the broadest mainstream export grade because it balances visual quality, kernel size and commercial pricing across retail, snack and foodservice channels.
03 What documents should an importer request for a Vietnamese cashew shipment?
A practical buyer file usually includes the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, health or phytosanitary documents where required, COA, lot traceability references and certification evidence relevant to the contract.
04 Can Vietnamese cashews be supplied in private-label or custom-packed formats?
Yes, many programs can support retail packs, foodservice packs or bulk industrial formats. Buyers should confirm exact pack structure, vacuum requirements, label claims and lead time before contracting.
Ready to brief the shipment
Send the grade, pack format, destination and target timing.
GreenTech will respond with grade fit, certification scope, packaging options and confirmed shipment terms.
