Updated April 10, 2026 | 5 producing countries, wholesale and retail
As of April 10, 2026, wholesale cashew nut prices range from $4.05/kg in Ivory Coast to $5.29/kg in India. Vietnam, the world's largest kernel exporter, quotes $4.22/kg. Prices reflect market surveys in major producing and consuming countries.
Cashew Prices by Country (USD per kg)
| Country | Wholesale | Retail |
|---|---|---|
| India | $5.29 | $7.57 |
| Ivory Coast | $4.05 | $5.79 |
| Nigeria | $4.78 | $6.83 |
| Tanzania | $4.62 | $6.60 |
| Vietnam | $4.22 | $6.03 |
Wholesale and retail cashew nut prices in USD per kilogram from market surveys in major producing countries. Prices may vary by grade, season, and local market conditions.
Ivory Coast Official Farmgate Price
The Conseil du Coton et de l'Anacarde (CCA) sets the official minimum farmgate price for raw cashew nuts in Ivory Coast at the start of each campaign season. For the 2025-2026 season, the farmgate floor is 400 FCFA/kg (approximately $0.65/kg at current exchange rates). This price was announced on February 6, 2026. The farmgate price sets the baseline for the entire West African cashew market, as Ivory Coast produces approximately 25% of global cashew output.
W320 (Whole 320) is the most widely traded cashew kernel grade globally. The designation means approximately 320 whole kernels per pound (706 per kg). It is the standard specification in most international trade contracts and represents the sweet spot between size, availability, and price.
W240 and W180 are premium grades with larger kernels -- 240 and 180 kernels per pound respectively. W180 is the largest commercially traded whole kernel and commands significant premiums, often 30-50% above W320. These grades are favored for retail snack markets in Europe, North America, and Japan.
Splits, Pieces, and Butter grades are produced when kernels break during processing. Splits (halves) trade at 60-70% of whole kernel prices. Pieces are used in food manufacturing and trade at 40-50% of whole prices. Cashew butter is ground from broken pieces and lower grades.
Raw Cashew Nuts (RCN) are the unprocessed nuts including the shell, sold by farmers to processors. The key quality metric is KOR (Kernel Outturn Ratio) -- the percentage of usable kernel inside the shell, typically 22-28%. A higher KOR means more kernel per kg of raw nuts, commanding higher RCN prices. Ivory Coast RCN typically has a KOR of 46-50 lbs per 80kg bag (approximately 25-28%).
Ivory Coast is the world's largest raw cashew producer, accounting for approximately 25% of global output with over 1 million tonnes annually. The cashew campaign runs from February through June, peaking in March-April. The CCA regulates the sector, setting farmgate prices and export quotas to ensure local processing.
India is both a major producer and the world's largest cashew consumer. Kerala, Karnataka, and Goa are the primary growing states. India imports significant quantities of RCN from Africa for domestic processing. Indian mandi (wholesale market) prices are published daily and serve as a key reference for Asian kernel markets.
Vietnam is the world's largest cashew kernel exporter, processing RCN imported from Africa and domestic production. Vietnamese factories process an estimated 3+ million tonnes of RCN annually. The country's processing capacity far exceeds its own production, making it the hub of global cashew supply chains.
Nigeria and Tanzania are significant producers in East and West Africa respectively. Tanzania's harvest season (October-January) is counter-seasonal to West Africa, providing year-round global supply. Nigerian production is centered in the north, with growing investment in local processing capacity.
What is the current price of cashew nuts?
As of April 10, 2026, wholesale cashew prices are approximately $4.05/kg in Ivory Coast, $4.22/kg in Vietnam, and $5.29/kg in India. Prices vary significantly by grade -- W180 premium kernels can cost 30-50% more than standard W320.
What is W320 cashew grade?
W320 means "Whole 320" -- approximately 320 cashew kernels per pound. It is the most commonly traded grade globally and the standard specification in international trade contracts. Lower numbers (W240, W180) indicate larger, more expensive kernels.
Which country produces the most cashews?
Ivory Coast is the largest producer (~25% of global output). India is the largest processor and consumer. Vietnam is the largest kernel exporter. Other major producers include Nigeria, Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau, and Mozambique.
What is the difference between RCN and kernel prices?
RCN (Raw Cashew Nut) is the unprocessed nut including the shell, typically $0.50-$2.00/kg. Kernels are the shelled, graded edible nut, $4-$10/kg depending on grade. The conversion rate (KOR) is typically 22-28%, meaning 1 kg of RCN yields 0.22-0.28 kg of kernels.
When is cashew harvest season?
Ivory Coast and West Africa: February-June (peak March-April). India: February-May. Vietnam: February-April. Tanzania: October-January. The counter-seasonal harvests provide year-round global supply, but the February-April overlap period typically creates the most market activity.
Prices tell you what happened. Intelligence tells you what's coming. Our daily briefings cover farmgate dynamics, export restrictions, processing bottlenecks, and supply chain risks across West Africa and Southeast Asia.
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