WHOLESALE CASHEWS & ALMONDS · INDIA

From Kerala & Goa, to your warehouse.

India is one of the world's largest processors of cashews — most product comes from raw cashew nuts (RCN) sourced from Vietnam and West Africa, processed in Kerala (Kollam, Kanyakumari), Goa, and Karnataka. Aethon Overseas supplies the full cashew W-grade range: W180 (largest, premium), W210, W240 (most popular wholesale grade), W320 (smallest whole), plus brokens (LWP, LP, BB, B) and roasted / salted variants.

On almonds, India both produces (Kashmir-origin Mamra and California-imported reprocessed) and re-exports. Aethon Overseas supplies premium Mamra-grade Kashmiri almonds, Californian almonds processed in India (NPX, IS, Carmel), and value-added almond formats (slivered, sliced, blanched, flour). Every shipment ships with NABL-accredited COA documenting moisture, foreign matter, microbial counts, and aflatoxin testing.

Cashew W-grades & almond varieties

Cashew & Almond Sourcing From India

What buyers should understand about Indian cashew and almond wholesale — grades, processing, MOQ, certifications, and the realities of the trade.

1. W-Grade Logic

Cashew W-grades are sized by count per pound. W180 = 180-210 nuts/lb (largest, most premium). W320 = 320-350 nuts/lb (smallest whole kernel). Brokens (LP, LWP, BB) are smaller pieces sold separately at lower prices.

Buyer tip: W240 is the wholesale-standard sweet spot — best balance of size and price. W180 is premium but commands a 30–40% price premium for marginally larger nuts.

2. Aflatoxin Testing

Aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1, G2 + total) is the regulated mycotoxin risk on cashews and almonds. EU limit: 4 ppb total / 2 ppb B1. USA FDA action level: 20 ppb total. Aethon's NABL COA tests aflatoxin per shipment.

Buyer tip: confirm the destination MRL panel at inquiry stage. EU is stricter than USA on aflatoxin. We test on the destination panel by default.

3. Steam-Sterilization vs ETO

Some processors use ethylene oxide (ETO) to reduce microbial counts. EU has banned ETO residues since 2020. Aethon-supplied cashews are steam-sterilized (or untreated where contamination is low) — never ETO-treated for EU shipments.

Buyer tip: explicitly request "ETO-free / steam-sterilized only" in your spec sheet for EU and increasingly USA.

4. Mamra vs California Almonds

Mamra (Kashmir-origin) almonds are smaller, denser, more expensive — premium specialty retail. Californian almonds reprocessed in India are larger, lighter, the standard wholesale almond. Don't confuse these in your spec.

Buyer tip: clarify the variety at quote stage. Pricing differs ~3–5x between Mamra and Californian. Most wholesale demand is Californian-Indian-processed.

5. Packaging Formats

Standard wholesale: 11.34 kg (25 lb) vacuum-sealed cartons inside an export carton; 22.68 kg (50 lb) for industrial. Retail packs: 100g, 200g, 500g, 1kg vacuum-sealed pouches. Custom packaging available with 1,000-unit MOQ per artwork.

Buyer tip: vacuum-sealed cartons preserve quality 12-18 months at 20°C; non-vacuum cartons 6–9 months only.

6. Lead Time & Pricing

Lead time: 2-3 weeks from order confirmation for in-stock grades; 4-6 weeks for specific size sortings or organic. FOB pricing varies weekly with global cashew market — request a live quote.

Buyer tip: book during November–March (post-cashew-season) for best price; April–October prices typically tighten.

Who We Serve in This Category

Wholesale Distributor

Mixed-W-grade FCLs (e.g., 50% W240 + 30% W320 + 20% Brokens) for diaspora-grocery distribution networks worldwide.

Food Manufacturer

Brokens (LP, LWP, BB) for cashew butter, confectionery, bakery, and granola manufacturers.

Retail Brand / Private Label

Premium W180/W210 in retail vacuum packs (100-500g) under your brand. Custom artwork available.

Specialty / Organic Retail

Mamra Kashmiri almonds and certified-organic cashews for premium specialty retail and DTC brands.

Get a Cashew & Almond Quote in 24 Hours

Tell us your spec: cashew W-grade(s) needed (W180 / W210 / W240 / W320 / brokens), almond variety (Mamra / California-Indian / value-added), target volume per SKU, packaging format (vacuum cartons or retail packs), destination port, and Incoterm preference.

We send a written FOB / CIF quote within 24 hours plus a 250–500 g sample by courier in 5–10 days for evaluation. Aethon Overseas is APEDA-registered, FSSAI-licensed, with NABL-accredited COA per lot covering aflatoxin, moisture, foreign matter, microbiology, and product-specific quality markers.

• 1. List your target W-grades / almond varieties and volumes per SKU.
• 2. We send a written quote with vacuum-carton and retail-pack pricing.
• 3. Free 250–500 g sample for evaluation.
• 4. On approval, we ship with NABL COA covering destination MRL panel.

Get a 24-Hour Quote

Tell us the product, target MOQ, and destination port. Free samples available; no onboarding required for the first quote.

WhatsApp (fastest response):

Response within 24 hours · Free samples available

Sources & Further Reading

Industry and regulatory sources for cashew and almond trade.

• APEDA — cashew & almond export data — Indian cashew and almond export statistics.
• Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI) — official Indian cashew industry body.
• EU aflatoxin MRL (Reg 1881/2006) — EU mycotoxin limits for nuts.
• US FDA — aflatoxin action levels — USA aflatoxin action levels.
• Almond Board of California — California almond industry context.
• Spice Board of India / NPOP — organic cashew certification — organic certification framework.

This page is maintained by the Aethon Overseas Editorial Team. Prices, MOQs, and aflatoxin limits referenced are based on May 2026 data; verify current limits via your customs broker per shipment. Last reviewed 9 May 2026.

Cashew & Almond FAQ

What buyers ask before placing the first wholesale cashew or almond order from India.