What Does the "W" Stand For?
The "W" in W180, W240 and W320 stands for White — referring to the colour of properly processed and peeled cashew kernels. The number that follows indicates roughly how many kernels are present in one pound (approximately 454 grams) of that grade.
So W180 means approximately 180 whole cashew kernels per pound. W240 means approximately 240 kernels per pound. W320 means approximately 320 kernels per pound.
The lower the number, the larger each individual kernel — and generally, the higher the price that grade commands on international markets.
Key principle: Fewer kernels per pound means larger kernels. Larger kernels typically mean higher price per kilogram. W180 is larger and more expensive than W320 of comparable quality.
The Main Cashew Kernel Grades Explained
W180 — King Grade
W180 is the largest grade of white whole cashew kernels. With approximately 180 kernels per pound, each individual nut is noticeably large. This is the grade sought by premium food manufacturers, luxury confectioners, high-end retailers and gourmet food brands.
W180 typically commands the highest price per kilogram of all the white whole kernel grades. It is relatively less common in Nigerian cashew production, as achieving consistent W180-sized kernels requires high-quality raw nuts and careful processing.
W240 — Premium Grade
W240 is the grade most commonly requested by European food buyers and manufacturers. With approximately 240 kernels per pound, it offers an excellent balance between kernel size, consistent quality and price. Many EU importers consider W240 their preferred working grade.
For Nigerian processors and exporters, building the capability to consistently supply W240-grade cashew at volume is a significant commercial goal.
W320 — Standard International Grade
W320 is the most widely traded cashew kernel grade globally. It has approximately 320 kernels per pound, making each kernel smaller than W240 or W180. Despite this, W320 represents the backbone of international cashew trade — it is the grade most commonly found in supermarkets, food service operations and food manufacturing across the world.
For new Nigerian processors entering the export market, W320 is typically the starting point because of its broad demand, established pricing benchmarks and the volume of buyers actively seeking it.
| Grade | Kernels per lb | Relative Size | Primary Market | Price (relative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W180 | ~180 | Very Large | Luxury, Premium Retail | Highest |
| W210 | ~210 | Large | Premium Retail, EU | Very High |
| W240 | ~240 | Large-Medium | EU, Middle East, US | High |
| W320 | ~320 | Standard | Global — most traded | Standard |
| W450 | ~450 | Small | Food manufacturing | Lower |
How Cashew Kernels Are Graded
Cashew kernel grading is both a technical and a labour-intensive process. After the raw cashew nut has been steamed, shelled, peeled and dried — the resulting white kernel must be sorted and classified.
Grading happens through a combination of:
- Screen sizing: Kernels pass through grading screens with different-sized holes to separate by size
- Manual sorting: Workers inspect and remove broken, discoloured or defective kernels
- Weighing and counting: Samples are weighed to verify they meet the count standard for the claimed grade
- Quality inspection: The grade must meet minimum quality standards for moisture, breakage, discolouration and other defects
International standards — particularly those set by the African Fine Tea Authority (AFTA) and international buyers — define exactly what is acceptable within each grade. Meeting these standards consistently is what separates competitive exporters from those who cannot access premium markets.
What This Means for Nigerian Cashew
Nigeria produces high-quality cashew nuts. However, most of this cashew currently leaves the country unprocessed — meaning the grading, the value and the premium that comes with premium grades is captured by processors in other countries.
When Nigerian cashew is properly processed, graded and presented to international buyers with appropriate documentation, it can and does command the same premium as cashew from other origins. The opportunity is to build more of this processing capacity within Nigeria.
CashewHer Nigeria is working toward supplying W180, W240 and W320 kernels from Nigerian sources as our processing capability develops. If you are a buyer looking for Nigerian cashew kernels, contact us to discuss your requirements.
Looking for Nigerian Cashew Kernels?
CashewHer Nigeria is building supply capacity for W180, W240 and W320 grade kernels. Register your interest and we'll keep you informed as our supply pipeline develops.
📋 Request Pricing Information →Frequently Asked Questions
Is W180 always better than W320?
Not necessarily better in terms of taste or quality — but larger kernels (W180) typically command higher prices because they are rarer and more visually impressive. For many food manufacturing applications, W320 is perfectly appropriate and preferred for cost reasons.
Can Nigerian cashew achieve W180 grade?
Yes. Nigerian cashew — particularly from high-quality producing states — can achieve W180 grade when properly cultivated, harvested at the right time, processed carefully and graded to specification. The challenge is building the processing infrastructure to do this consistently at scale.
What other grades exist beyond W180-W320?
Beyond the white whole kernel grades, there are also broken grades (LWP, SWP, BB, LP, SP), scorched grades, desert grades and others. The W180–W320 range covers the most commercially significant whole kernel grades for most buyers.
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