From plain whole nuts to roasted and flavored varieties, Vietnamese cashews are now found in stores and factories across many countries. If you’re just starting to source Vietnam cashews, no worries. It can be a smooth process as long as you know what to watch out for. In this guide, we’ll share a few practical tips to help you find a reliable supplier, check for the right quality, and avoid those small but costly mistakes that new buyers often run into.
Vietnam’s Cashew Industry: What’s Happening Now
Vietnam has been a key player in global agricultural exports, known for coffee, pepper, rice, and seafood. Alongside these staples, Vietnam cashew is especially famous for its creamy, rich flavor, crunchy texture, and high-quality appearance with low breakage rate.
The country has been the world leader in exporting cashew kernels for 18 straight years, and the trend is still going on. In a single recent year, it shipped out close to 730,000 tons of cashew nuts. This is a clear step up from 2023, which was around 582,000 tons.
The United States remains the top Vietnam cashew importer, purchasing more than a quarter of the total export volume, followed by strong demand from China, the Netherlands, and Germany. With such steady global interest, Vietnam continues to be a go-to source for both volume and quality in the cashew market.
Made-in-Vietnam Cashew Product Types
So that’s a quick overview of Vietnam’s cashew export market. Now let’s talk about something even more practical: what types of cashew products do you actually want to look at when you source in Vietnam?
Overall, Vietnam supplies both raw and roasted cashew kernels, commonly used by global brands in snack foods, nut blends, and plant-based dairy products. International buyers like Costco, Walmart, Dan-D-Pak, Intersnack, and Olam have long sourced Vietnamese cashews due to stable quality and global-standard processing.
1. White Whole Cashew Kernels
These cashew kernels are hand (or machine) cracked from raw nuts, peeled and graded by size to stay whole and unbroken.Vietnamese whole white cashew kernels have widespread use in snack foods, cashew butter, or as a meat substitute in vegetarian recipes. They are most commonly shipped to US and European nations, and represent the greatest proportion of Vietnam’s cashew exports.
2. Broken Cashew Kernels
Broken cashew grades are the cost-effective option for businesses using Vietnam cashews as a component. They are produced by kernels splitting in shelling or drying.
3. Roasted & Salted Cashews
They are roasted cashew kernels with or without the delicate inner skin, and very lightly sprinkled with pure salt in just the ideal ratio. That gives you a crunchy, lightly salted treat that still has the natural buttery flavor of Vietnam cashews – a staple in markets all around the world, including China and the Middle East.
4. Organic Cashew Products
Organic cashews from Vietnam are grown naturally, without chemicals or pesticides. You’ll find these in whole kernels, roasted snacks, or even cashew butter.
5. Value-Added Cashew Snacks
More and more suppliers in Vietnam are putting out value-added cashew snacks to keep up with what the market wants. You’ll find things like roasted Vietnam cashews with garlic, chili, wasabi, sesame, or honey. Some are even doing chocolate-coated cashews and cashew milk.
Vietnam Cashew Product Grades and Export Quality Standards
Are cashews from Vietnam good? The answer is yes, very much so. Cashews in Vietnam maintain consistent quality through open grading systems and strict quality control.
Vietnam Cashew Product Grades
First off, let’s talk size and grading. The country follows international grading systems (AFI, CEPCI, TCVN) to classify cashew kernels. Here come the most commonly exported grades:
Here is the revised version of your table with an additional column noting which Vietnam cashew product type commonly includes each grade:
| Grade | Description | Kernels per lb (approx.) | Commonly Found In |
| W180 / WW180 | Premium white whole kernels (largest size) | 170–180 | White Whole Cashew Kernels |
| W240 / WW240 | Large white whole kernels | 220–240 | White Whole Cashew Kernels |
| W320 / WW320 | Medium white whole kernels (most common) | 300–320 | White Whole Cashew Kernels |
| SW240 / SW320 | Scorched whole: lightly roasted, off-white color | 220–240 / 300–320 | Roasted & Salted Cashews, Scorched Kernel Type |
Export Quality Standards & Documentation
Vietnam cashew exports also follow strict quality and safety rules to meet global buyer demands. They’re trusted by buyers across major markets like the US, EU, Japan, and the Middle East.
- Moisture control at 3–5%, ensuring shelf stability and prevents mold—critical for humid-climate markets like Japan and Southeast Asia.
- Low defect rates (≤ 8% total defects, ≤ 5% broken), adhering to UNECE DDP‑17 standards, meeting the exacting quality expectations of premium brands in the US and EU.
- Food safety certifications (HACCP, ISO 22000) are mandatory in Vietnam’s processing plants, and buyers in the EU often require additional BRC or IFS accreditation.
- Robust packaging compliant with ISPM‑15 and 32 ECT standards protects shipments during long sea voyages to destinations like Europe and North America.
- Mandatory lab testing for aflatoxin, pesticides, and heavy metals ensures compliance with strict safety regulations in the EU, US, and GCC countries.
- Complete export documentation—including Certificate of Origin, Phytosanitary Certificate, commercial invoice, and Bill of Lading—supports seamless customs clearance in target markets.
Main Cashew Regions in Vietnam
Overall, cashews are primarily grown and processed in Vietnam’s southern and Central Highlands regions, supporting both domestic consumption and heavy export volumes.
1. Binh Phuoc
If you’ve ever wondered “Where do the US get their cashews from Vietnam?”, Binh Phuoc is likely your answer. Located in Vietnam’s Southeast region, just north of Ho Chi Minh City, it is broadly seen as the center of Vietnam’s cashew sector. It accounts for nearly half of the country’s overall cashew cultivation and is home to thousands of factories and cooperatives.
Cashews produced in this region are typically Fair Trade or organic certified. They are often processed into White Wholes grades like WW240 and WW320 and used in retail snack packs, nut blends, and bakery or confectionery products. Main importers of these kernels are U.S., Europe, Japan, and South Korea.
2. Dak Lak
Dak Lak is a key province in the Central Highlands region of Vietnam. It has seen a surge in cashew output and attracted more exporters as more and more farmers replant orchards with new disease-resistant trees. Within a single year, the region’s cashew production increased to more than 46,000 tons.
Dak Lak is famous for highland-grown Vietnam cashews, known for their rich flavor and firmer texture due to volcanic soil and cooler climate. These cashews are often used in premium snack mixes, gift boxes, and hotel-grade offerings. If you are looking to source high-quality white whole kernels like WW240 and WW320 with consistent taste to the U.S., Europe, Japan, and the Middle East, consider this region.
3. Dong Nai
The next major cashew hub is Dong Nai. It lies in Vietnam’s Southeast region, bordering Ho Chi Minh City, and has its fame for high-yielding farms and streamlined supply chains. Some of the farms now achieve yields of as much as 2.5 tons per hectare, driven by more intensive cultivation practices.
Most of the Dong Nai output is in the form of white whole kernels and is shipped to markets like the U.S., Europe, and China. If you require a place with large farms, regular production, and exporters who can handle frequent orders, Dong Nai is a safe bet.
Who Is the Biggest Supplier of Cashews in Vietnam?
Having gained a sense of Vietnam’s leading cashew-producing regions, let us take a look at five suppliers that most foreign buyers do business with and trust.
1. Lafooco
Lafooco has operated since the latter half of the 20th century. It is certified for principal food safety standards, such as BRC Global Standard for Food Safety, HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), and HALAL certification – making it an adequate supplier to various markets.
They currently export to countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Private-label customers are offered various cashew flavors by Lafooco, such as plain (no salt), seaweed, wasabi, sesame, among others.
2. Hoang Son Food
Hoang Son is yet another highly-rated name in the industry, specifically well-known for offering whole kernels white and roasted cashews, both skinless and salted. They buy high-quality raw cashews not only in Vietnam but also from countries like Cambodia and certain regions in West Africa.
Hoang Son also does OEM business and offers a number of packaging configurations – from small snack packs to bulk retail-ready pouches with zipper closures, offering the buyer lots of flexibility depending on their market needs.
3. CPT CORP
CPT CORP is their own organic cashew plantations in Binh Phuoc and has a sustainable production system. It’s certified USDA Organic and BRC GS. They are a great option for customers who look for certified and sustainably produced cashews.
Their product lines are carefully created to cater to Asian, U.S., and European tastes, with main products being:
- White kernels: W240, W320, W450, SW, SP.
- Flavored cashews: cheese, honey, cappuccino, and others.
4. Phuc An Cashew JSC
Phuc An works hand in hand with small-scale farmers in Binh Phuoc to build a clean, sustainable raw cashew platform. No chemical pesticides are used, instead anticipating green and socially responsible products. The company makes specialty salt-roasted cashews with or without skin. Popular sizes are 420-480; 500-550; 600-650 kernels/kg.
5. Vifarmgo
Vifarmgo has 3 manufacturing facilities in Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, and Dong Thap with versatile capacity – ranging from small pilot orders of a dozen kg or so to big orders of several containers every month. This setup accommodates importers who like to start small, check quality, and later expand quantity based on demand.
All the products are laboratory tested before exporting and are HACCP and FDA approved. And the main products are white cashew kernels (W180, W210, W240, W320,…) and flavored cashews (butter & garlic, garlic & chili, cheese).
Key Considerations When Sourcing Vietnamese Cashews
We just concluded “Who is the manufacturer of cashew in Vietnam?” Now, here are some key points to keep in mind to make your sourcing more cost-effective and convenient.
1. Average Minimum Order Quantities (MOQ) by Grade
Vietnam cashew MOQ will vary depending on the product and supplier. Here’s a rough guide:
| # | Grade of Vietnam Cashew | Typical MOQ | Estimated FOB Price
(USD/kg) |
| 1 | W180 (largest size) | 1 ton (1,000 kg) or above | Approx. $8.60-$9.30 |
| 2 | W210 (jumbo size) | Usually 200kg-1,000 kg | $7.90-$8.00 |
| 3 | W240 | 100kg-1,000 kg or full 20ft/40ft containers | Approx. $7.90 |
| 4 | W320 (most popular grade) | 12kg-60 kg samples or 1,000+ kg for bulk orders | ~ $6.84 |
| 5 | Broken grades (LWP, SWP) | 500kg-1,000 kg | From $5.50 to $5.80 |
2. Lead Time by Season
Generally, it takes about 2-3 months from confirmation of order to delivery, but this also varies significantly by the harvest season:
- Peak harvest (typically Feb-Jun): Raw cashew supply is steady. Lead time is about 30-40 days.
- Off-season (Jul-Jan): Raw materials are limited, suppliers prefer to wait for Cambodian or African imported inventory. Lead time can be extended by another 2-3 months.
3. Common Incoterms
When buying cashews from Vietnam, the following are the most common shipping terms:
- FOB: Delivery to a Vietnamese port (usually Cat Lai or Hai Phong). You handle the freight.
- CIF: Includes freight and insurance to your port. Best if you don’t have a shipping partner.
- EXW: Pickup at seller’s warehouse. Rare for overseas buyers, more common for local deals.
Where to Find Verified Cashew Suppliers From Vietnam
If you need Vietnam cashews, there are two excellent methods of finding quality suppliers:
- Trade fairs (offline): Meet suppliers from Bình Phước, Đồng Nai, Đắk Lắk. It’s great for checking quality directly and discussing terms face to face. Notable events are AgroViet (Hanoi) and Vietnam Foodexpo (HCMC).
- B2B platforms (online): Another way is to use Google, B2B directories, or local sourcing agents to find and contact cashew exporters without traveling.
Among Vietnamese-focused B2B sourcing platforms, VinaSources is one of the most reliable choices. It connects global buyers with authenticated Vietnamese cashew suppliers, especially food and agricultural products. Here’s how VinaSources can help your sourcing:
- Instant RFQ matching: Write what you need (cashew variety, size, quantity, budget), and we’ll match you with suitable suppliers.
- One-stop sourcing support: From freight and shipping to papers and warehousing, we manage it all.
- Language support: All the staff speaks both English and Vietnamese, meaning no in-country office is needed for communication.
Want to place your first Vietnam cashews order? You can start by filing an RFQ here.