Cashew Nuts, Fresh or Dried, Shelled

Vietnam has invested heavily in cashew processing infrastructure and imports large volumes of raw cashew nuts (RCN) from West Africa, particularly Côte d'Ivoire, for shelling and processing before re-export. This makes Vietnam the leading declared origin for shelled cashew kernels entering the US, even though the underlying raw material often originates elsewhere. Trade professionals should be aware of this supply-chain structure when assessing origin concentration risk.

Importers should request FDA food facility registration numbers for the foreign processing establishment, certificates of analysis covering aflatoxin and microbiological testing, and HACCP or food safety management system certifications. Shelled cashews are a ready-to-eat product in many applications, so FDA may apply heightened scrutiny to sanitation and allergen controls during admissibility review.