Ghana Cashew Hub

A knowledge resource on how cashew kernels are graded and classified — the standards that govern quality across international markets.

The Standard

How cashew kernels are graded

Cashew kernels are obtained by roasting, shelling and peeling raw cashew nuts (Anacardium occidentale L.). Grading is performed in a strict order — colour, then shape, then size — following the UNECE Standard DDP-17 and the criteria of the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) and AFI. The result is a system of more than 27 conventional international grades.

1. Colour

White (W), Scorched (S) or Dessert (D) — determined by the kernel’s appearance after processing.

2. Shape

Whole (W), Butts (B), Splits (S) or Pieces — based on how intact the kidney-shaped kernel is.

3. Size

A count of kernels per pound or kilogram — 180, 210, 240, 320, 450 and 500.

Classification by Colour

Quality classes & characteristics

Kernels are classified into Extra Class, Class I and Class II. The defects allowed in each class must not affect the general appearance, keeping quality or presentation of the product.

Class	Colour characteristics
Extra / Fancy	White, pale ivory or light yellow — uniformly coloured first-quality kernels.
Class I / Scorched	Light brown, light ivory, light ash-grey, deep ivory or yellow.
Class II / Dessert	Deep yellow, brown, amber, light to deep blue; may be shrivelled, immature or speckled.

Classification by Shape

Whole, butts, splits & pieces

Whole (W): retains the characteristic kidney shape; not more than 1/8 broken off.
Butts (B): broken crosswise; between 3/8 and 7/8 of a whole kernel with cotyledons naturally attached.
Splits (S): split lengthwise with not more than 1/8 of the cotyledon broken off.
Pieces: smaller broken kernels — large pieces, small pieces, chips, baby bits and granules.

Classification by Size

Size designation of cashew kernels

Size is an estimate of the number of kernels per kilogram or pound. It is compulsory for first-quality kernels and optional for other whole grades.

Size designation	Count per kilogram	Count per pound
180	266 – 395	140 – 180
210	395 – 465	180 – 210
240	485 – 530	220 – 240
320	660 – 706	300 – 320
450	880 – 990	400 – 450

Reference Table

Conventional grades of cashew kernels

The 24 core conventional grades across white, scorched and dessert categories. Naming follows colour → shape → size — e.g. WW180 = White Whole 180; SW240 = Scorched Whole 240.

No.	Grade	Description
White kernels
1	WW180	White Wholes 180
2	WW210	White Wholes 210
3	WW240	White Wholes 240
4	WW320	White Wholes 320
5	WW450	White Wholes 450
6	WW500	White Wholes 500
7	FB / WB	Fancy Butts (White Butts)
8	FS / WS	Fancy Splits (White Splits)
9	LWP	Large White Pieces
10	SWP	Small White Pieces
11	BB	Baby Bits
Scorched kernels
12	SW180	Scorched Wholes 180
13	SW210	Scorched Wholes 210
14	SW240	Scorched Wholes 240
15	SW320	Scorched Wholes 320
16	SW450	Scorched Wholes 450
17	SW500	Scorched Wholes 500
18	SB	Scorched Butts
19	SS	Scorched Splits
20	SP	Scorched Pieces
21	SSP	Scorched Small Pieces
Dessert kernels
22	DW	Dessert Wholes
23	SSW	Scorched Second Wholes
24	DB	Dessert Butts

Planning ahead for graded kernels?

Following our processing expansion, we plan to supply across white, scorched and dessert grades. Talk to us about future offtake and partnership.

Processing Expansion Contact Us