0. Executive Summary
Judgment axis | Key judgment |
| Item Identity | According to FAO AGRIS standards, Cashew = Anacardium occidentale L., a tropical nut of the Anacardiaceae family. ( FAO AGRIS ) |
| Key role | Ingredients for snacks, confectionery, bakery, plant-based foods, and pastes based on global raw cashew nuts and shelled kernels |
| Harvesting principle | Manage Country of Origin, Cultivar/Planting Material, Harvest Date, Apple/Nut Separation, and Dry Condition as required Lot values. |
| Product separation | Manage RCN, In-shell, Shelled Kernel, Whole, Split, Piece, Roasted, Powder, and Paste as separate products |
| Separation of similar items | Almonds, walnuts, and chestnuts are classified differently from cashew apples, and cashew apples are also a separate product from the kernel. |
| Domestic production statistics | Domestic commercial cashew nut cultivation area and production volume: To be entered after verification of official raw data. |
| Global production structure | FAO data explains that cashews are a global crop cultivated in tropical production regions of Latin America, Asia, Oceania, and Africa. ( FAO AGRIS ) |
| Processing core | The FAO Small-Scale Cashew Processing Guidelines define the key to processing as separating the kernel from the hard shell with as little damage as possible. ( Open Knowledge FAO ) |
| HS structure | According to the Korea-India CEPA HS2017 standards of the Korea Customs Service, cashew nuts are classified under heading 0801 as 0801.31 In shell and 0801.32 Shelled. |
| by-product | The FAO describes cashew apple as the fleshy part beneath the actual nut, and explains that industrial CNSL exists in Shell. ( FAOHome ) |
| Safety and process risks | High moisture RCN storage, shelling damage, kernel breakage, mold/foreign matter, heat treatment variation, storage rancidity, and supplier-specific grade variations |
| Operating Principles | Connect Origin–Producer–RCN Lot–Processing–Kernel Grade–Import Lot–Buyer RFQ |
| Final goal | Connecting recurring transaction data of overseas Producer–Processor–Exporter–Importer–Domestic Manufacturer–Buyer |
The key to the cashew supply chain is not merely production volume, but rather the actual amount of marketable kernels recovered from the RCN . FAO quality assessment and processing data also suggest final kernel quality and undamaged shelling as the primary criteria for value judgment, rather than raw nut quality. ( Open Knowledge FAO )
1. Plant Identity & Product Master
Basic fields | detail |
| Korean name | Cashews |
| English name | Cashew / Cashew Nut |
| Representative scientific name | Anacardium occidentale L. ( FAO AGRIS ) |
| classification | Anacardiaceae, Anacardium genus |
| Edible parts | Kernel inside the actual nut |
| Non-edible · Separate management | Shell, Testa, Cashew Apple, Leaves, Branches, etc. |
| Major harvesting stages | Fruit ripening → Nut separation → Raw nut drying → Shelling → Kernel |
| Basic product form | RCN·In-shell·Shelled Kernel·Whole·Split·Piece·Roasted·Powder·Paste |
| Basic processing stage | Drying · Heat Treatment/Steaming · Shelling · Kernel Drying · Testa Removal · Sorting · Roasting · Grinding |
| Basic use | Snacks · Confectionery · Baked Food · Curry · Sauces · Plant-based Foods · Pastes · Private Brands |
| Principle of similar items | Manage cashew apples and cashew kernels as separate products |
The FAO describes the primary product of cashews as edible kernels, explaining that not only whole kernels but also finely chopped kernels are used in cookies, cakes, and chocolates, and are also utilized in paste form. ( FAO AGRIS )
Product Master
Product ID | Actual product form | Key Management Standards |
| CASHEW-P01 | Raw Cashew Nut, RCN | Origin · Crop Year · Moisture · Nut Count · Flaws |
| CASHEW-P02 | In-shell Cashew | Dry · Shell state · Storage |
| CASHEW-P03 | Raw Whole Kernel | Grade · Color · Size · Damage · Moisture |
| CASHEW-P04 | Whole White Kernel | Size Grade · Color · Whole Ratio |
| CASHEW-P05 | Split Kernel | Split specifications, color, and defects |
| CASHEW-P06 | Kernel Pieces | Particle size, damage, foreign matter |
| CASHEW-P07 | Roasted cashews | Roast Level · Color · Scent · Moisture |
| CASHEW-P08 | Seasoned Cashews | Formulation, Additives, Labeling |
| CASHEW-P09 | Cashew powder | Particle size, roast status, color |
| CASHEW-P10 | Cashew powder | Particle size, moisture, fat, microorganisms |
| CASHEW-P11 | Cashew paste | Particle size, viscosity, and oil separation |
| CASHEW-P12 | Cashew butter | Roast · Viscosity · Blending · Storage Stability |
| CASHEW-P13 | Plant-based beverage and cream ingredients | Grinding, extraction, particle size, microorganisms |
| CASHEW-P14 | Cashew Apple | Separate supply chain for edible kernels |
| CASHEW-P15 | Cashew Nut Shell/CNSL | Separated as a non-food industrial product |
| CASHEW-P16 | PB · Finished Products | Ingredient Traceability, Labeling, and Use-by Date |
2. Product Classification & Use Segmentation
Classification criteria | Subdivision type | Management principles |
| Plant classification | Anacardium occidentale L. | Plant Master |
| Cultivar/Planting Material | Actual varieties and selected lines by country of origin | Cultivar ID after verification |
| production site | Country · Region · Farm | Origin Entity |
| Harvest year | Crop Year | Must save |
| Raw material form | RCN·In-shell·Shelled | Product·HS separation |
| Kernel type | Whole · Split · Piece | Grade separation |
| Color and quality | Actual trading grades such as White and Scorched | Supplier Spec Verification |
| Processing form | Raw·Roasted·Granule·Powder·Paste | Product ID |
| by-product | Cashew Apple·Shell·CNSL | Separated from the kernel supply chain |
| Final use | Snack·Bakery·Confectionery·Sauce·Plant-based | Buyer Spec |
| Transaction type | RCN Trade·Kernel Import·Bulk·OEM·PB | Contract NDA |
3. Production, Harvest & Post-harvest
step | Essential Dataset | Management purpose |
| Cultivation plan | Country · Planting Material · Area · Crop Year | Supply forecast |
| Seedlings and Planting | Seed/Clone·Source | Breed and farm tracking |
| Growth | Age, canopy, and growth status | productivity |
| flowering | Flowering date and amount | Harvest forecasting |
| Moisture and fruit set | Weather conditions and fruit set | Yield |
| rising | Temperature, rainfall, dry season, disaster | Crop risk |
| Watering | Watering status and quantity | Production Management |
| dispute | Input amount and timing | record |
| pests | Occurrence and Control | Production and quarantine |
| Cashew Apple formation | Apple·Nut development | Maturity assessment |
| Harvest judgment | Apple/Nut Mature | Harvest |
| harvest | Date·Farm·Weight | Harvest Lot |
| Nut separation | Separating Apple and Nut | RCN Lot |
| dry | Time, Method, Moisture | Storage stability |
| Raw material selection | Nut Size · Defects · Foreign Matter | RCN Grade |
| save | Moisture, temperature and humidity, and period | Mold and quality |
| Heat treatment/steaming | Processor Process Conditions | Shelling preparation |
| Shelling | Kernel retrieval/damage | Key Yield |
| Kernel drying | Kernel moisture | Quality stability |
| Remove Testa | Peeling rate · Damage | Kernel Grade |
| Selection and grading | Whole · Split · Piece · Color · Flaws | Buyer Grade |
| stir-fry | Roast Profile | Snack |
| Cutting/Splitting | Grain/Damage | Bakery |
| smash | Powder·Paste | Ingredient |
| packaging | Actual conditions such as vacuum/gas filling | save |
| export shipment | Exporter · Container · Departure | Trade |
| Incoming inspection | HS · Country of Origin · Certificate of Test | Import Lot |
| shipment | Buyer · Delivery Date | Delivery |
4. Quality Specification & Lot Management
Quality items | RCN·In-shell | Kernel | processed goods | finished product | Public rating |
| Species | essential | succession | succession | tracking | Public |
| Cultivar/Plant Material | check | succession | tracking | tracking | Verified |
| Origin | essential | succession | succession | tracking | Public |
| Farm/Processor | ID | succession | tracking | tracking | Verified |
| Crop Year | essential | essential | succession | tracking | Verified |
| Lot | essential | new | new | new | Verified/NDA |
| Harvest day | essential | succession | succession | tracking | Verified |
| Nut Size/Count | core | Kernel Size Connection | Raw material specifications | - | Verified |
| appearance | Shell status | Kernel Color/Shape | Raw Material Evaluation | Product Standards | Member |
| weight | RCN weight | Kernel weight | Input and Output | Display amount | Member |
| moisture | core | core | By product | Product Standards | Verified |
| Whole ratio | - | core | Raw material specifications | Product Standards | NDA |
| Split/Piece Ratio | - | core | core | Product Standards | NDA |
| Shelling Yield | Key economic feasibility | calculation | Cost linkage | - | NDA |
| break | - | core | Product Branch | Product specifications | Verified |
| color | - | core | core | Product specifications | Verified |
| mold | check | essential | essential | Legal standards | Verified |
| alien substance | essential | essential | essential | essential | Verified |
| Shell contamination | - | essential | essential | Prohibition/Product Standards | Verified |
| Testa residue | - | check | Raw material specifications | Product Standards | Verified |
| pesticide residues | Conformity to standards | succession | check | Legal standards | Verified/NDA |
| Mycotoxins | Risk-based inspection | importance | By product | Legal standards | Verified/NDA |
| microorganism | If necessary | core | core | Product Standards | Verified/NDA |
| heat treatment | corresponding | succession | tracking | tracking | NDA |
| Roasting | - | corresponding | core | tracking | NDA |
| Entry to the island | - | Piece | Powder/Paste | Product Standards | Verified |
| rancidity | Storage Management | core | Paste Core | Product Standards | Verified |
| Processing history | - | essential | essential | essential | NDA |
| packaging | Bulk | B2B | Oxygen and moisture management | Labeling packaging | Member |
| save | dry | Drying, low temperature, etc. | By product | By product | Verified |
| Shipment | record | record | record | record | Verified |
| Returns and Claims | record | record | record | record | NDA |
| Repurchase | connection | connection | connection | connection | NDA |
The FAO explains that in RCN quality assessment, the quality of the internal kernel is the most important factor, rather than the shell itself . Therefore, MarketHub does not calculate the Supplier Score based solely on the surface appearance of the RCN, but rather links it to actual kernel recovery, wholeness ratio, and defect rate. ( Open Knowledge FAO )
Lot Master Required Field
Lot ID · Item · Product Type · Species · Scientific Name · Cultivar/Planting Material · Crop Year · Country of Origin · Production Region · Farm · Producer · Processor · Exporter · Importer · Harvest Date · RCN Weight · Nut Size/Count · Moisture · Grade · Drying History · Heat Treatment/Steaming History · Shelling Date · Kernel Weight · Shelling Yield · Whole/Split/Piece Ratio · Kernel Grade · Color · Damage · Defects · Shell/Testa Contamination · Pesticide Use History · Pesticide Residues · Mycotoxins · Microbiological Reports · Storage · Shipment History · Raw Material Lot · Roasting · Minced · Powder · Paste Processing History · Packaging Date · Use-by Date · Shipper · Returns · Claims · Repurchase
5. Korea Market & Demand Structure
Customers | Purchase criteria | Cooperation opportunities |
| Nut importer | Origin·Crop Year·Kernel Grade | Global Procurement |
| Large nut processing company | Whole · Split · Piece · Moisture | Processing RFQ |
| Stir-fry and seasoning companies | Kernel Size · Roast Aptitude | Snack RFQ |
| Large-scale distribution | Country of origin, grade, certificate of authenticity, packaging | Retail/PB |
| Online distribution | Whole · Roasted · Small Pack | Commerce |
| confectionery company | Whole Piece Granules | Ingredient |
| Bakery | Piece·Powder·Paste | Regular supply |
| Chocolate and snacks | Whole Piece Paste | B2B |
| Curry and sauce preparation | Paste/Powder | Food Ingredient |
| plant-based foods | Kernel, Paste, and Cream Ingredients | Plant-based |
| vegan dessert | Paste·Kernel | Product Development |
| Cashew butter production | Roast · Viscosity · Particle Size | OEM |
| Hotels and Restaurants | Whole Piece Paste | Foodservice |
| school meals | Safety, Country of Origin, and Allergy Management | Contract Supply |
| PB·OEM | Snack · Butter · Sauce | Manufacturing cooperation |
| trading company | RCN·Kernel·HS·Origin | Import/Export RFQ |
6. Trade & Supply-chain Intelligence
step | Key variables | Operational judgment |
| Overseas production | Country · Crop Year · Crop Conditions | Supply Forecast |
| Harvesting and Nut Separation | Maturity and Harvest Period | Raw Supply |
| RCN drying | Moisture and weather | Storage Risk |
| Raw material trading | RCN Grade · Price | Procurement |
| Processor procurement | RCN Quality and Yield | Processing Economics |
| Shelling | Kernel Recovery · Whole Ratio | Supplier Evaluation |
| Kernel Grading | Size · Color · Whole/Split/Piece | Buyer Spec |
| export shipment | Origin·Freight·Lead Time | Landed Cost |
| Import customs clearance | HS · Origin · Inspection | Import Lot |
| save | Moisture, rancidity, mold | Inventory |
| Stir-fry/Seasoning | Processing yield | Domestic Value-add |
| Powder | Particle size and yield | B2B |
| Paste/Butter | Viscosity and oiliness | Premium Ingredient |
| Distribution and supply | Delivery time and quality | Buyer Evaluation |
| RFQ · Repurchase | Claim · Quality · Price | Supplier Ranking |
Import and export management
item | Management principles |
| Basic HS | Included in Heading 0801 (Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashew nuts) according to the Korea Customs Service HS2017 standards |
| In-shell | 0801.31 Cashew nuts — In shell |
| Shelled | 0801.32 Cashew nuts — Shelled |
| Stir-fried and prepared products | Since it may differ from the HS code of the raw material, please check the current HSK based on the actual processing state. |
| Powder/Paste | Verification of item classification based on composition and degree of processing |
| Import volume | Input after verification of raw data by the Korea Customs Service for 2025/2026 |
| Revenue | Input after official verification of raw data |
| Major suppliers | Enter after verifying country, quantity, and amount by HS code |
| Customs clearance unit price | Calculate by separating In-shell and Shelled |
| FTA | Verification of Origin, HS, Agreement Tariff Rates by Processing Status, and Criteria for Origin |
| Food safety | Latest import inspection standards for pesticide residues, mycotoxins, microorganisms, etc. |
| distribution | Separate management of RCN, Kernel, and processed products |
7. Processing, By-products & PRP Intelligence
Products and processes | Key conditions | RFQ conversion |
| Raw Cashew Nut | Origin · Crop Year · Moisture | Processor RFQ |
| In-shell Nut | Dry/Shell state | Trade RFQ |
| Whole Kernel | Color, Size, and Whole Ratio | Premium Kernel |
| Split | Color and size | Bakery |
| Pieces | Grain/Damage | Food Manufacturer |
| Roasted Kernel | Roast Level · Scent | Snack |
| Seasoned Cashew | Formulation and Labeling | PB/OEM |
| Granule | Entry to the island | Bakery/Chocolate |
| Powder | Moisture content and particle size | Food Ingredient |
| Paste | Particle size, viscosity, and oil content | Sauce/Dessert |
| Cashew Butter | Roast · Viscosity · Storage Stability | Retail/PB |
| Plant-based Cream Base | Fine grinding and extraction | Vegan/HMR |
| Cashew Apple | Separate harvesting, hygiene, and processing | Juice/Fermentation is a separate RFQ |
| Shell | Separation from edible kernel | CNSL Industrial RFQ |
| CNSL | Non-food industrial materials | Chemical/Material Container |
| Broken Kernel | When safety is compliant | Powder/Paste Conversion |
| Mold/Contaminated Kernel | Food Supply excluded | dispose |
The FAO explains that the cashew apple is the fleshy part beneath the actual nut, and that the Shell contains industrially utilized CNSL. Therefore, cashew byproducts are not grouped together as a single food byproduct; instead, the Cashew Apple and Shell/CNSL are separated into completely distinct relationships . ( FAOHome )
Product Research Profile (PRP)
PRP area | Key question |
| Origin | How do RCN and Kernel quality differ depending on the country and region of production? |
| Crop Year | What is the difference between new crops and long-term storage materials? |
| RCN moisture | How does it affect storage, mold, and shelling results? |
| Nut Size | How does Nut Count affect Kernel Grade? |
| Shelling Yield | What is the actual kernel recovery amount compared to RCN? |
| Whole Yield | How does the whole kernel ratio affect the supply price? |
| Color | What is the impact of kernel color and heat damage on Buyer Grade? |
| Broken | Which processing buyer can be used to convert Split/Piece? |
| Roast | What are the optimal roast conditions for each kernel size? |
| Powder | Are the particle size, moisture, and fat characteristics suitable for confectionery? |
| Paste | How is the stability of oil separation, viscosity, color, and scent? |
| by-product | How will Cashew connect Apple, Shell, and CNSL through a separate supply chain? |
| Buyer | What are the effects of Grade, Origin, Price, and Claim on repurchase? |
8. AX Transformation
first of all | Execution item | Performance indicators |
| 1 | Species·Origin·Crop Year·Processor·Lot required values | Required value completion rate |
| 2 | RCN·Whole·Split·Piece·Roasted·Powder·Paste Product Separation | Product identification rate |
| 3 | Connection between crop conditions, harvest, drying, shipment, and arrival | supply forecast error |
| 4 | Data conversion of quality, certificates, shelling, storage, and processing history | Traceability rate |
| 5 | Producer–Processor–Exporter–Importer–Buyer RFQ connection | RFQ Match Rate |
| 6 | Video AI RCN Size · Defect Screening | Automatic classification accuracy |
| 7 | Kernel AI Whole/Split/Piece Classification | Grade Accuracy |
| 8 | Kernel Color/Heat Damage AI Assessment | Quality classification accuracy |
| 9 | Shelling Yield Prediction | Error compared to the actual |
| 10 | Whole Kernel Yield Prediction | Error compared to the actual |
| 11 | RCN Moisture and Storage Risk Scoring | Bad Lot Detection Rate |
| 12 | Revenue, Inventory, and Lead Time Forecasting | Out of stock rate |
| 13 | Roast and Grinding Processing Yield Prediction | Yield Error |
| 14 | AI Supplier/Buyer Match | Sample→Contract Conversion Rate |
| 15 | Traceability | Farm/RCN → Finished Product Traceability |
9. Industry Problem Bank
Problem group | Problem Definition | Required data |
| Lack of domestic production base | dependence on global supply chains | Origin·Import |
| Diversification of production countries | Variations in crop conditions and quality by production area | Country·Region |
| RCN·Kernel mixture | Confusion between raw material weight and actual edible volume | Product State |
| Crop Year mixed | Storage period and quality unclear | Crop Year |
| RCN moisture deviation | Impact on storage and processing quality | Moisture |
| Shelling Yield deviation | Difference in actual raw material costs | Input/Output |
| Whole ratio deviation | High-Grade Productivity Difference | Whole Yield |
| Kernel breakage | Premium Product Yield Decrease | Broken Rate |
| Color deviation | Grade change due to heat treatment and drying | Color |
| Shell contamination | Food Safety and Claims | Foreign Material |
| Mold risk | Failure of storage and moisture management | Moisture·Storage |
| Microbial risk | Peeling and Kernel Processing | Microbiology |
| rancidity | High-fat Kernel long-term storage problem | Storage |
| Supplier Grade Discrepancy | Quality variation within the same product name | Grade Spec |
| HS Mixed | Differences in RCN, Kernel, and Processed Product Classification | HS |
| Logistics risks | Ocean freight, transit, and inventory | Logistics |
| Unseparated by-products | Apple, Shell, and CNSL are mixed together | By-product Entity |
| Repurchase not reflected | Buyer performance is not fed back into supplier selection | Evaluation·Reorder |
10. Farmer RFQ & Collaboration Model
RFQ Type | Public Registration | Verify/NDA |
| Raw Cashew Nut Procurement | Origin · Crop Year · RCN Status | Producer · Quantity · Unit Price |
| In-shell purchase | Size · Moisture · Grade | Lot · Actual Price |
| Shelled Kernel | Grade · Color · Shape | MOQ · Test Report |
| Whole Kernel | Size · Whole Grade | Actual quantity · Price |
| Split Kernel | Specifications and Colors | MOQ · Unit Price |
| Kernel Pieces | Particle size/defects | B2B price |
| Roasted cashews | Roast Level · Packaging | MOQ · Delivery Time |
| Seasoned Cashews | Formulation/Product Form | OEM conditions |
| Buntae | Entry to the island | Confectionery contract |
| powder | Particle size and moisture | Bakery RFQ |
| Paste | Viscosity and particle size | Food Ingredient |
| Cashew butter | Blending and viscosity | OEM/PB |
| Plant-based food ingredients | Kernel and Paste Specifications | Processing Contract |
| Cashew Apple | Separate food ingredients | Safety, origin, and processing conditions |
| Shell/CNSL | Non-food industrial raw materials | Separate NDA |
| Confectionery and Baking | Whole/Piece/Powder | Regular supply |
| Hotels and Restaurants | Whole·Paste | Foodservice |
| PB | Snack · Butter · Sauce | OEM |
| import | HS·Origin·Crop Year | Exporter · Freight · Unit Price |
| Research cooperation | RCN Quality, Shelling, and Processing Yield | Dataset·IP |
11. RFQ Request First
① Need Products & Materials
Companies and institutions seeking necessary products, agricultural products, raw materials, and processed goods register purchasing demands. Registered requests are utilized to review cooperation with potential suppliers and producers based on the RFQ Intelligence Library.
Process:
RFQ Registration → Supplier/Product Review → Collaboration Connection → Future AI Matching
Register
② We are looking for production and manufacturing partners. (Need Suppliers & Manufacturers)
Register a request to find necessary production and supply partners, ranging from farms and producer organizations to processing companies, OEM, ODM, and private label manufacturers.
Process:
RFQ Registration → Review of Production & Manufacturing Capabilities → Collaboration Connection → Future AI Partner Matching
Register
③ We are looking for domestic and international buyers. (Need Buyers)
Farmers, producer organizations, and manufacturing companies are requesting cooperation with new buyers, such as domestic and international distributors, importers, brand companies, and food service and catering businesses.
Process:
RFQ Registration → Product & Supply Capability Review → Market & Buyer Connection → Future AI Buyer Matching
Register
Contact : mail@markethub.org
Version History
Version | Main contents | situation |
| v1.0 | Plant Identity · RCN · Kernel · Global Procurement · Shelling · Roasting · Powder · Paste · By-products · RFQ Basic Structure Registration | complete |
| v1.1 | Major producing countries · 2025/2026 Korea import volume · Current HS · FTA · Verification of official market raw data | expected |
| v2.0 | RCN Moisture · Nut Size · Shelling Yield · Whole/Split/Piece Grade · Roast · Powder · Paste Specifications Subdivision | expected |
| v3.0 | Combine Farm–Producer–RCN Trader–Processor–Exporter–Importer–Manufacturer–Buyer Verified Container | expected |
