Sourcing from Vietnam · Vietnam → World
Sourcing Cashew Kernels, Pepper and Spices from Vietnam
Vietnam is a leading exporter of cashew kernels and black pepper, and a key origin for cassia cinnamon and star anise. GLG helps food manufacturers, packers and traders find verified processors, check food safety compliance and ship consistent quality.
Key products
- Cashew kernels, whole grades W180, W210, W240, W320, W450
- Cashew splits, butts and pieces (SW, LBW, WS, LP, SP, BB)
- Roasted, salted and flavoured cashews for retail and private label
- Black pepper 500 g/l, 550 g/l and 570 g/l, FAQ or cleaned to ASTA specifications
- White pepper 630 g/l, double washed, and ground pepper
- Steam-sterilised pepper and spices for strict food safety markets
- Cassia cinnamon: sticks, cigarette rolls, broken and powder
- Star anise, whole and broken, and other dried spices such as ginger and turmeric
Sourcing regions
- Đông Nam Bộ (Đồng Nai, Tây Ninh and the TP.HCM area) – the main cashew processing cluster
- Central Highlands (Đắk Lắk, Gia Lai, Lâm Đồng) – the main black pepper growing area
- Đồng Nai and the Đông Nam Bộ uplands – pepper growing and pepper processing plants
- Lào Cai and the northern mountains – cassia cinnamon
- Quảng Ngãi and Đà Nẵng hinterland – Trà Bồng and Trà My cassia
- Lạng Sơn and Cao Bằng – star anise
Common HS codes
| HS code | Description |
|---|---|
| 0801 | Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashew nuts |
| 0904 | Pepper of the genus Piper, dried or crushed |
| 0906 | Cinnamon and cinnamon-tree flowers |
| 0909 | Seeds of anise, badian (star anise), fennel and similar |
| 0910 | Ginger, turmeric and other spices |
| 2008 | Nuts prepared or preserved, including roasted cashews |
HS codes are indicative. Confirm the exact classification of your product before you declare it.
Certifications buyers ask for
- HACCP and ISO 22000 or FSSC 22000 food safety systems
- BRCGS Food Safety or IFS Food for retail and private label buyers
- FDA food facility registration for the United States
- EU, USDA NOP or JAS organic certification
- Kosher and halal certification
- Social compliance audits such as amfori BSCI or SMETA
Logistics notes
- Cashew kernels are vacuum packed in tins or flexible bags, usually two per carton, and ship in 20-foot dry containers.
- Pepper and spices ship in PP or jute bags; ask for container lining and desiccants to control moisture.
- Fumigation or steam sterilisation requirements depend on the destination; agree them before production.
- Most cargo moves through Cát Lái and Cái Mép; northern cassia and star anise can ship via Hải Phòng.
- Keep cashew kernels away from heat during storage to slow rancidity, especially for long transit times.
Sourcing tips
- Write grade, count per pound, moisture, broken percentage and defect limits into the contract.
- Ask for recent lab reports on Salmonella, pesticide residues and, for spices, mineral oil and adulterants.
- Verify whether the processor shells raw nuts itself or only grades and packs bought-in kernels.
- Check the validity of BRCGS or IFS certificates directly with the certification body.
- For pepper, confirm bulk density and light berry content on the pre-shipment sample, not only on the offer sample.
Vietnam as an origin for nuts and spices
Vietnam has become the leading processor and exporter of cashew kernels. Much of the raw cashew nut is imported from West Africa and Cambodia, then shelled, peeled, graded and packed in factories clustered in Đông Nam Bộ. The country is also one of the world's largest exporters of black pepper, grown mainly in the Central Highlands and Đông Nam Bộ, and a key supplier of cassia cinnamon from the northern and central mountains and star anise from Lạng Sơn and Cao Bằng.
This combination makes Vietnam attractive for nut and spice buyers who want to consolidate several products with one origin and one logistics chain.
Grades buyers usually specify
| Product | Common grades | Key parameters |
|---|---|---|
| Cashew kernels | W180 to W450, SW, LBW, WS, LP | Count per pound, colour, broken, moisture |
| Black pepper | 500, 550, 570 g/l | Bulk density, moisture, light berries, extraneous matter |
| White pepper | 630 g/l, double washed | Colour, black berries, moisture |
| Cassia | Sticks, rolls, broken, powder | Oil content, length, thickness, moisture |
| Star anise | Whole autumn crop, broken | Whole percentage, colour, aroma |
Cashew grades are commonly based on the specifications published by the Association of Food Industries in the United States, while pepper buyers often refer to ASTA cleanliness specifications or the European Spice Association quality minima.
How GLG sources and verifies
We shortlist processors that match your product, grade and certification needs, then verify licences, export history, factory hygiene, food safety certificates and the actual production steps carried out on site. We coordinate offer and pre-shipment samples and can arrange laboratory testing at accredited labs before goods are released for loading.
Buying process and terms
Cashew kernels are usually sold FOB or CFR in US dollars per pound or per tonne, with a deposit and balance against documents, or by letter of credit for new relationships. Pepper is traded per tonne with prices that move with crop and market conditions, so confirm the validity period of each offer. For retail-ready products, agree packaging artwork, labelling and shelf life requirements in writing.
Documents and shipment preparation
Buyers usually require a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin and a quality certificate, plus laboratory reports and fumigation or sterilisation certificates where the destination requires them. GLG reviews the document set against the contract and the letter of credit, and coordinates the timing of tests so that results are ready before the vessel departs, not after the cargo has arrived.
Key risks
- Microbiological contamination, especially Salmonella in pepper and spices.
- Pesticide residues above destination limits, notably under EU maximum residue levels.
- Grade mixing, excessive broken kernels or live insects in cashew shipments.
- Adulteration of pepper with light berries or foreign matter.
- Payment and document fraud by unverified counterparties on either side.
For spices destined for the EU or US, budget for steam sterilisation and testing on every lot rather than relying on the supplier's historical reports alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vietnamese cashew grown in Vietnam?
Part of it is, but much of the raw cashew nut is imported from Africa and Cambodia and processed in Vietnam, which is why Vietnam is a leading cashew kernel exporter.
What does 500 g/l or 550 g/l mean for black pepper?
It is the bulk density in grams per litre. Higher density usually indicates heavier, better-filled berries and a higher price.
Can you arrange laboratory tests before shipment?
Yes. We can coordinate sampling and testing at accredited laboratories for microbiology, pesticide residues and other parameters required by your market.
GLG connects, verifies and coordinates, but is not a party to the sales contract: the purchase agreement, price and performance obligations are between buyer and seller. Verification and inspection results reflect conditions at the time of the check and do not guarantee future performance.