Understanding Cashew Nuts Quality Specifications

The crop season in West Africa is from March to June.There is not a general standard for cashew nuts but some parameters can establish the quality of the cashew and the appreciation on the market
1 - Out-turn / Yield
It is the quantity of cashew kernel that can be obtained after decorticating (remove the shell of a cashew nut) 80 kg of raw cashew nuts. The count is in pounds per 80kg.
A good out turn is from 43 to 48 lbs
An excellent out turn is from 48 to 55 lbs
2-. Nut count
It is the number or raw cashew nuts per kg
170 excellent
180-190 very good
190-200 good
200-210 middle
210-220 low middle
230 limit acceptable
lower: poor
Please note that:
- It is necessary to balance this information with the out-turn
- In West Africa most of the raw cashew nuts, depending the year, have a nut count from 190 to 210.
3- Moisture / Humidity
For export 12% and less otherwise there are risks for the goods during the shipping           
4- Foreign matter
5% max
5- Defective
Lower than 10%
6- Float Rate
This is the total number of cashew nuts that will float when poured into water.  A good float rate is  18%max