Cashew Nuts
Vietnam
Cashew nut kernels are generally traded against the AFI specification. The AFI specification is very wide, therefore there are many risks involved when importing cashews nuts such as foreign material, serious defects, infestation etc. As well as quality risks there can also be contractual risks when importing cashew nut kernels.
In order to reduce these risks, we set up an inspection team in Vietnam in 2012 which is led by Tony Nguyen. Tony’s role at Freeworld is not only to communicate what we require from our approved packers, he also inspects every container that we buy and produces reports of the cargo. This inspection is called Positive Releases System (PRS,) and the logo is stamped on every carton to show that it has been through our inspection.
Tony inspects the cargo just before it is loaded into the container, therefore a rejection of the cargo at this point can add significant costs to the supplier. It is therefore within our packers interest to ensure that the cargo is sound first time around.
ORGANIC
- Origin: Vietnam, India, West Africa
NON-ORGANIC
- Origin: Vietnam, India, West Africa
With a history dating back to the mid 16th Century, these nuts have maintained their status as a hugely popular and highly cultivated commodity for over 450 years.
With origins in the Brazilian tropics, the Portuguese Empire brought with them quantities of the nut on their eastward colonisation of Africa, India and Southeast Asia. These locations are still very much relevant today as locations such as Vietnam, Nigeria, the Ivory Coast and India experience the highest volumes of cashew cultivation across the globe.
The scientific term anacardium, literally meaning ‘above the heart’, provides an insight into the unique location and position of the nut during its growing process. It grows beneath the fruit within a hard shell that provides protection for the fragile kernel up until its extraction. Within this shell, the cashew kernel is coated in a corrosive, potent substance known as anacardic acid. This solution is an irritant, and harmful to touch, and thus explains why removing the shell is imperative before selling to consumers.
Perhaps the main reason for the cashew’s high cultivation rate and demand across the globe is the variety of health benefits that are associated with its consumption, in other words, these nuts are a nutritional powerhouse. Providing a good source of protein, soluble dietary fibre and heart-friendly monounsaturated fatty acids, these nuts possess an excellent macronutrient profile. Furthermore, these nuts provide an abundance of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals, contributing to a healthy immune system as well as heart and blood health.
Aside from their nutritional profile, their popularity also stems from their use as a simple snack, ingredient and as a central component of many culinary dishes. From increasingly popular cashew nut butters, to their inclusion in a variety of ethnic cuisines, or simply enjoyed in their roasted form, these nuts are a perfect example of taste and versatility.
Michael Stevens
Associate Director
Senior Trader
FLEXIBLE RESOURCING
Through our relationship with farmers, we can contract grow certain products & process to meet specification. MOQ applies.
Making a Difference
Supporting projects that facilitate opportunity and growth, enriching the lives of the farmers.
Trusted Supply Network
Relationships and strong industry connections, working directly with the farms at source.