⚖️ Product & Application · Supporting
📅 15 July 2026 ·
🕐 8 min read ·
📍 SVC Group, Vietnam
Of every question SVC receives from new product developers and OEM buyers, one comes up more than any other: should I use WW320 or WW240?
Both are white whole cashew kernels. Both are AFI-graded, export-standard, and available from every serious Vietnamese processor. The difference between them looks small on paper — a kernel count per pound. In practice, that difference has real consequences for cost, visual presentation, and how your finished product performs on shelf.
This article breaks down exactly what separates WW320 from WW240 — and, more usefully, which one actually fits your specific product line.
⚖️ Head to head
WW320 Vs WW240: Specification Comparison
WW320
Standard Large Nuts
Kernel count300–320/lb
Kernel count (metric)~660–706/kg
Length23–24mm
Width~15mm
FOB price (H2 2026)$7.00–7.80/kg
Export volume shareLargest single grade
VS
WW240
Premium Large Nuts
Kernel count220–240/lb
Kernel count (metric)~395–465/kg
Length26–27mm
Width~17mm
FOB price (H2 2026)$7.40–8.40/kg
Export volume sharePremium niche
The core relationship is simple: WW240 kernels are larger, so there are fewer of them per pound. Fewer, bigger kernels of the same overall quality command a price premium — typically 40–90 cents/kg above WW320, depending on the pricing cycle. Both grades come from the same base quality tier; the difference is size, not defect rate or processing quality.
A common misconception: buyers sometimes assume WW240 is "better quality" than WW320. It isn't. Both are top-tier, non-broken, non-split, white whole kernels under AFI standard. WW240 is simply larger — and larger costs more because fewer kernels fit in the same weight of raw material.
Which Grade Fits Which Product?
The right grade depends entirely on what you are building. Here is how the two grades map onto common product categories:
🍟
WW320
Trail Mix & Snack Blends
Mixed with other nuts and dried fruit, individual kernel size matters less. WW320's cost efficiency makes it the standard choice for blended snack formats where kernels are one ingredient among several
📦
Both grades
Retail Bagged Whole Cashews
WW320 for value/mainstream retail tiers. WW240 for premium retail lines where visible kernel size is part of the value proposition — larger nuts photograph better and read as "premium" on shelf
🌟
WW240
Gifting & Premium Tins
Corporate gift sets, holiday tins, and premium canister formats benefit from the visual impact of larger kernels. Buyers paying a premium price expect to see premium-size product through a clear window or on opening
🔥
WW320
Roasted & Flavoured Snacks
A320 (roasted WW320) is the industry default for flavoured cashew lines — salted, honey, chili garlic, wasabi. The size holds coating and seasoning well without the added cost of WW240 as the base
🦽
WW320
Bakery Inclusions & Ingredient Use
Cashews used as an ingredient (granola, energy bars, baked goods) rarely justify the WW240 premium — the kernel is broken down or embedded in the product, so size uniformity matters less than cost per kg
🚚
WW240
Food Service & Hospitality
Hotels, premium restaurants, and airline catering that serve cashews as a standalone snack or garnish often specify WW240 — the visual presentation matters when the product is served directly to the end consumer
💰 The economics
What The Price Difference Actually Means For Your Margin
The WW240 premium is not trivial at scale. On a 20-tonne container, a $0.60/kg difference between WW320 and WW240 represents approximately $12,000 in additional landed cost. That premium needs to translate into retail value — either through a higher shelf price, a premium brand position, or a use case where kernel size is genuinely part of what the customer is paying for.
| Factor | WW320 | WW240 |
|---|
| Cost per container (20T, H2 2026 range) | ~$140,000–156,000 | ~$148,000–168,000 |
| Best for | Volume retail, blends, ingredient use | Premium retail, gifting, food service |
| Visual differentiation | Standard, expected size | Noticeably larger, premium cue |
| Availability | Highest — largest traded grade | More limited — genuine premium niche |
| Typical buyer | Mainstream snack brands, distributors | Premium brands, gifting, hospitality |
If your product is priced and positioned as premium but uses WW320, the kernel size may undercut the premium story you are telling on packaging. Conversely, using WW240 in a value-tier product erodes margin without a corresponding price increase to justify it. Grade selection should match brand position, not just habit.
Five Questions To Decide Between WW320 And WW240
Is kernel size part of your value proposition? If your packaging, pricing, or brand story emphasises "large, premium cashews" — WW240 supports that claim. If size is not a marketing point, WW320 delivers equivalent quality at lower cost
Will the kernel be visible to the end consumer? Clear packaging, gift tins, or standalone snack formats benefit from WW240's visual size. Blended, coated, or ingredient applications rarely justify the premium
What is your target retail price point? WW240's cost premium needs to be recoverable in shelf price. If your product competes primarily on value, WW320 protects margin without compromising quality tier
How volume-sensitive is your supply chain? WW320 is more widely available and easier to source consistently at scale. WW240 requires more careful supply planning given its smaller traded volume
Are you developing a tiered product line? Many successful brands use WW320 for their core/value SKU and WW240 for a premium or limited-edition line within the same brand — capturing both price points
💬 CEO Perspective
💬 CEO Perspective
We get asked this question constantly, and the honest answer is that there is no universally "better" grade — only the grade that matches what a buyer is actually trying to build. The best product developers we work with treat grade selection as a brand decision, not just a procurement one. That is the conversation we would rather have upfront than after a container has already shipped.
— 𝐂𝐄𝐎, 𝐒𝐕𝐂 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐒𝐂
⚖️
Not Sure Which Grade Fits Your Product?
Send us your product concept, target price point, and packaging format. SVC's team can recommend the right grade and provide samples of both for side-by-side evaluation.
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