W500 — Smallest wholes
450–500 kernels per pound • Lowest-cost whole-kernel grade
Typical price
$3.80/lb FOB
India FOB. ~16% discount to W320.
Packaging
22.68 kg vacuum tins or 200 kg drums / FIBC for industrial volumes.
MOQ
1 MT typical; 10–50 MT common for processing-direct contracts.
What W500 is
W500 is where whole-kernel grading ends. The "500" means a count not exceeding 500 whole, white kernels per pound — typically 450–500. Below this size, kernels are typically classified as broken pieces (LWP, SWP, BB) rather than whole grades, even if they remain intact.
Best uses
- Cashew milk, cream, cheese manufacturing
- Ingredient inclusion (cereals, energy bars, granolas)
- Cashew butter and nut spreads
- Industrial food applications (sauces, dressings, vegan-meat formulations)
- Bulk supply for non-retail food service
W500 vs LWP — the whole-vs-piece decision
For some applications (cashew butter, vegan cheese), large white pieces (LWP) offer similar texture at a 15–20% lower price than W500. The choice comes down to whether wholeness affects your end product — for cashew milk and cream, wholes blend slightly more uniformly; for cashew butter, pieces work fine. Pricing-conscious manufacturers often blend W500 and LWP.