Executive Summary: The Science of KOR in Global RCN Trade

In the high-stakes Raw Cashew Nut (RCN) industry, the Kernel Outturn Ratio (KOR) is the definitive benchmark of commercial value. For processors in India and Vietnam, KOR determines the potential yield of usable kernels and, consequently, the profitability of the entire cargo. This guide provides a technical overview of KOR calculation, current 2026 industry benchmarks across West African and Asian origins, and the critical relationship between moisture, nut count, and outturn performance.

Key Insight: A 01 Lbs difference in KOR can significantly impact processing margins. Understanding how to accurately verify outturn through standardized sampling is essential for mitigating risk in international procurement.

The Essential Guide to Raw Cashew Nuts KOR / Outturn:

Understanding Quality in the Raw Cashew Nut Trade

In the global raw cashew nut (RCN) industry, price is a variable, but Quality is the constant. For processors in India and Vietnam, the most critical metric for determining the value of a cargo is the Kernel Outturn Ratio (KOR).

But what exactly is KOR, and how does it impact your bottom line? In this guide, Ghosh Products & Resources breaks down the technicalities of cashew quality.

What is KOR (Kernel Outturn Ratio)?

KOR represents the weight of usable kernels obtained after de-shelling 80 kilograms of raw cashew nuts. It is expressed in pounds (lbs).

Since the global standard for one “bag” of RCN is 80kg, the KOR tells a processor exactly how much “meat” or kernel they can expect to recover from their purchase.

How to Calculate KOR: The Standard Formula

To calculate the outturn, a random sample (usually 1kg) is taken from the cargo.

1) De-shelling: The raw nuts are de-shelled to extract the kernels.

2) Grading: The kernels are peeled and sorted (removing rejects or diseased nuts).

3) Weight: The “Good Kernels” are weighed.

The Math:

KOR = Weight of Good Kernels (in grams) X 0.176

Example: If 1kg of RCN yields 280g of good kernels, the KOR is $280 \times 0.176 = 49.28$ lbs.

Benchmarks by Origin (Standard 2026 Expectations)

Quality varies by geography and climate. Here is what we typically see in our supply chain:

• West Africa (Benin/Ivory Coast): Typically ranges from 48 to 50 lbs.

• East Africa (Tanzania): Often achieves premium levels of 51 to 54 lbs.

• Indonesia: Known for high yields, often exceeding 53 lbs.

Secondary Factors: Nut Count and Moisture

While KOR is king, two other factors influence the “Processability” of the nut:

1. Nut Count: The number of nuts per kg. A count of 180–200 indicates large nuts (premium), while >210 indicates smaller nuts.

2. Moisture: Ideally between 8% and 10%. High moisture leads to “sweating” and fungal growth during sea transit from Africa to Asia.

Why Sourcing with Ghosh Products & Resources P Ltd. Matters

At Ghosh Products & Resources P Ltd., we don’t take the seller’s word for it. Our ground teams conduct independent KOR tests at the farm-gate and port-level. We partner with RBS (India) and Vinocontrol (Vietnam) to ensure that the KOR you pay for is the KOR you receive at the discharge port.

RCN Quality Intelligence: Global Outturn & Size Verification

At Ghosh Products & Resources P Ltd., we believe that transparency is the foundation of a sustainable cashew supply chain. To assist our processing partners in India and Vietnam, we have developed these proprietary calibration tools.

Use the calculators below to standardize your quality reports across all origins—from the high-outturn crops of Tanzania to the high-volume harvests of West Africa.

Note: These tools use the standard industry formulas for Raw Cashew Nut (RCN) analysis. For official trade certifications, please refer to the third-party inspection reports (RBS/Vinocontrol) provided with your cargo documents.