Raw Cashew Nuts (RCN): KOR, Moisture, Nut Count and Buying Guide

Raw cashew nuts (RCN) are not the same product as ready-to-eat cashew kernels. They are in-shell agricultural raw material purchased for shelling, peeling, grading and further processing. For an industrial buyer, the most useful question is not simply “How much does one tonne cost?” but “What quantity and quality of usable kernels can this specific lot produce?”

This buying guide explains the main raw cashew quality indicators—kernel outturn ratio (KOR), nut count, moisture, defects and lot inspection—and provides a clear checklist for requesting a quotation. It is intended for processors, procurement teams and traders comparing raw cashew nuts from different origins. Values described as typical or indicative are not a guarantee for any specific shipment.

1. What are raw cashew nuts?

Raw cashew nuts are the nuts separated from the cashew apple, usually dried after harvest and supplied with their hard shells intact. A processor must handle the shell and cashew nut shell liquid safely before the edible kernel can be recovered. The kernels then undergo additional operations such as drying, peeling, sorting and packing.

That difference matters when buying. Raw cashew nuts are commonly evaluated by the potential recovery and condition of their kernels, whereas processed cashew kernels are sold by finished-product grades, appearance and food specifications. If you are actually looking for W180, W240 or W320 kernels, see our separate guide to Vietnam cashew kernel grades.

2. Five quality checks to include in an RCN specification

Every commercial lot should be assessed against an agreed sampling and test method. The quality figures below describe what to ask for; acceptable contractual limits depend on origin, crop, buyer requirements and destination.

Quality measure	What it tells you	What buyers should request
Kernel outturn ratio (KOR)	Estimated usable kernel weight obtained from a defined quantity of in-shell nuts	Cut-test report and result in pounds per 80 kg of RCN
Nut count	Number of in-shell nuts in one kilogram; an indicator of average nut size	Recorded count per kg from a representative sample
Moisture	Dryness of the lot and a major storage and transport risk factor	Measured percentage, test method and test date
Defective nuts	Incidence of immature, empty, damaged, infested or otherwise unusable nuts	Defect definitions, measured percentages and agreed limits
Foreign matter and traceability	Presence of non-nut material and ability to identify the origin of the lot	Inspection observations, origin, crop period and lot identifiers

3. What does KOR mean in raw cashew nut trading?

KOR (kernel outturn ratio) estimates how much usable kernel is contained in a standardized quantity of raw cashew nuts. In much of the international raw cashew trade, it is expressed as pounds (lb) of kernel per 80 kg bag of in-shell nuts. A higher KOR generally represents more potential kernel value, but the figure must come from a properly performed cut test.

For illustration only, a reported KOR of 48 lb per 80 kg represents approximately 21.8 kg of kernel in the test-based equivalent of 80 kg of raw nuts (around 27% by weight). This does not promise that a factory will obtain the same mass of saleable whole kernels. Actual factory yield depends on shelling losses, broken kernels, processing conditions, grading and other factors.

When comparing two offers, make sure the KOR tests used the same sampling and calculation method. A headline outturn number without traceability to a particular lot is not a sound basis for a purchase decision.

4. Nut count: does a lower number always mean better cashews?

Nut count is the number of raw, in-shell nuts that weigh one kilogram. For example, a lot measuring 180 nuts/kg generally has larger individual nuts than one measuring 220 nuts/kg. Larger nuts can be attractive for particular processing goals, but nut size alone does not reveal the usable kernel yield, defect rate or final proportion of whole kernels.

A buyer should therefore examine nut count together with KOR and defects, not as a substitute for them. Set out the preferred count range in the enquiry, then request the actual result for the proposed lot.

5. Moisture in raw cashew nuts: why it changes buying decisions

Inadequate drying or moisture uptake during storage and shipping can increase the risk of spoilage, mold and quality deterioration. Some industry training materials describe roughly 8–10% moisture as a common reference range for properly dried RCN; however, the correct acceptance limit is the one agreed for the actual transaction and supported by a reliable measurement.

Ask when the moisture was measured, which instrument or method was used and whether there was any exposure to rain or humid storage afterward. A pre-shipment reading can be more decision-useful than an old certificate from an earlier storage stage. Moisture requirements should be reflected in the written contract, including the procedure to follow if a lot fails inspection.

6. Defects, contamination and representative sampling

A good-looking handful of nuts is not necessarily representative of a shipment. An agreed sampling plan should cover the relevant bags or locations within the lot, rather than only the easiest material to reach. The person who samples the product should record the lot reference, sample size, sampling locations, date and any seals used.

• Cut-test defects: look for empty, immature, deteriorated, insect-damaged or otherwise unusable kernels according to the agreed definition.
• Foreign matter: check for stones, plant debris, packaging fragments and other unwanted material.
• Visible storage damage: inspect for unusual odors, moisture exposure, mold or infestation.
• Lot identity: ensure test results can be matched to the actual consignment, not merely to a general product brochure.

For larger or higher-risk transactions, buyers may agree on an independent inspection service. The contract should state who selects the inspector, which method applies, when the inspection takes place and how disagreements will be resolved.

7. How to compare raw cashew nuts from different origins

Raw cashew nuts are traded from multiple growing regions and harvest periods. Differences in variety, rainfall, drying, sorting, collection practices and storage can influence the quality of individual lots. Country of origin provides useful context, but it is not a substitute for inspecting the specific goods being offered.

Before accepting a quotation, compare offers using a consistent specification and a common delivery basis. Check the crop period, storage history, target shipment window, KOR, count, moisture, defects, packaging and shipping point. Avoid assuming that two lots with the same declared origin will perform identically in production.

8. Packaging, storage and shipping questions

Raw cashew nuts need dry, clean storage and appropriate handling in transit. Packaging and container decisions should reflect local conditions, shipment duration and the buyer’s destination requirements. Ask how the bags or other units will be identified and whether the cargo can be protected against rain, condensation, pests and contamination.

For an international order, agree on the unit weight, number of packages, net/gross weights, lot labeling, loading arrangements and required transport documents. State the Incoterms rule, its version and named port or place in the quotation. FOB, CFR and CIF are different commercial terms; a price comparison is incomplete if the delivery basis is missing.

9. Raw cashew nuts RFQ: a copy-ready checklist

Send an enquiry that enables the seller to propose a particular lot rather than an unsupported “best price.”

1. Product: raw cashew nuts (RCN), in shell; intended industrial use.
2. Origin: acceptable countries, crop period and any traceability requirements.
3. Quantity: trial volume, target order size and estimated repeat demand, where relevant.
4. Quality: desired KOR, nut-count range, moisture limit and defect/foreign-matter acceptance criteria.
5. Inspection: sampling method, cut-test procedure, independent inspector if needed, and dispute process.
6. Packaging: type, unit weight, labeling and storage/shipping protections.
7. Destination: delivery port/place, requested shipment period and applicable trade term.
8. Documents: import- or contract-specific certificates and inspection records that can actually be provided.
9. Commercial terms: quotation validity, currency, payment terms and conditions of acceptance.

Example request: “We are evaluating a shipment of raw cashew nuts for processing. Please advise the available origin and crop, lot-specific KOR, nut count, moisture and defect test results, proposed volume and packing, shipment window, inspection options, delivery term and a dated quotation. Our destination and target quantity are [details].”

If your business instead needs shelled and graded kernels for wholesale, our Vietnam cashew nuts supplier RFQ checklist explains the purchasing questions for that different product category.

10. Discuss raw cashew sourcing with Duong Cat

Duong Cat’s raw cashew nut product page describes sourcing connections in African origins, including Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Nigeria, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau. Buyers should confirm the origin, quality results, stock, shipment conditions and current quote for the particular proposed lot rather than treat a general product description as a guarantee.

For a useful first conversation, send Duong Cat your target quantity, destination, preferred origin and the quality figures your processing line requires. The team can then discuss whether an appropriate offer is available. Visit Duong Cat to find the company’s current contact details.

Frequently asked questions about raw cashew nuts

Are raw cashew nuts ready to eat?

No. Commercial raw cashew nuts are in-shell processing material, not a ready-to-eat snack. The hard shell contains caustic cashew nut shell liquid and requires appropriate industrial handling.

Is a high KOR enough to approve a lot?

No. KOR helps estimate potential kernel recovery but must be evaluated alongside moisture, defects, nut count, condition, representative sampling and price.

What is a typical moisture level for raw cashew nuts?

Industry guidance commonly cites around 8–10% for reasonably dried nuts, but contractual limits and the chosen test method must be agreed for each transaction. Do not assume a generic reference figure proves a particular lot is acceptable.

Is nut count the same as KOR?

No. Nut count estimates average in-shell nut size; KOR estimates the weight of usable kernels per standardized quantity of raw nuts. They measure different things.

Can the same raw-nut specification be applied to W320 cashew kernels?

No. W320 is a processed-kernel grade, whereas KOR and in-shell nut count are raw cashew assessment measures. Define the actual product you are purchasing first.

Technical references

• ComCashew: Manual on the Kernel Outturn Ratio and raw cashew quality assessment.
• UNCTAD: Commodities at a Glance — Special Issue on Cashew Nuts.

Note: This article is a buyer-education resource, not a live commodity price report, shipment quotation or certification of any specific batch.