Vietnam has been the world's top cashew exporter for over a decade, processing raw nuts sourced from across West Africa and domestic farms into the finished kernels that fill supermarket shelves from London to Los Angeles. If you've eaten a cashew nut in the last five years, there's a strong chance it passed through a Vietnamese processing facility.

Understanding the W320 grade

The most traded grade of Vietnamese cashew is W320 — meaning approximately 320 whole kernels per pound. It's the international benchmark grade: large enough to be visually appealing on a snack board, small enough to be affordable at scale. Other common grades include W240 (larger, premium pricing), W450 (smaller, budget-friendly), and split/broken grades used in confectionery and food manufacturing.

Raw vs. processed: where Vietnam fits

Vietnam imports the majority of its raw cashews from the Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Tanzania, then processes them domestically — a value-add model that has made Vietnam indispensable in the global supply chain. This means buyers sourcing from Vietnam get the benefit of African raw material combined with Vietnamese processing efficiency and quality control.

Key certifications to ask for

• HACCP — food safety management, required by most major importers
• ISO 22000 — international food safety standard
• Organic certification — available from select processors using certified raw material
• Kosher / Halal — available on request from most large facilities

Pricing and seasonality

Cashew prices fluctuate significantly with the West African harvest (March–June). The best time to lock in pricing for the year ahead is typically July–September, after the main crop has been processed and inventories are at their highest.

Minimum order quantities start from 1 MT (metric tonne) for most processors, with full container loads (FCL) at 14–18 MT being the most cost-effective shipping option.

Looking to source W320 or other cashew grades from Vietnam? Request a quote, and we'll connect you with the right processing facility.