Cashew nuts, known for their delicate flavor and extraordinary health benefits, rank among the most consumed nuts in Canada. Cashew nuts have several health benefits which include prevention of heart diseases, boosting the immune system due to high amounts of copper and zinc, availability of vitamins E and K which act as antioxidants and lack of cholesterol.
Most people consume cashew nuts either as a snack, an additive to culinary dishes or as a dessert. The nuts are also processed to produce cashew milk and butter which is a good alternative for people who are allergic to dairy products. Due to these numerous benefits, there is an increased demand of cashew nuts.
Cashew Nuts Canada
Canada’s consumption of cashew nuts is huge, and it’s no surprise since the seeds are huge and crunchy. The nuts are majorly consumed in households and also used in factories to produce products such as cakes and chocolates.
Cashew oil, which is derived from the outer shell of a cashew was initially considered a byproduct of cashew nuts. However, its benefits are being realized in many industries such as production of lubricants, resins and renewable energy.
Cashew Price in Canada
Cashew nut imports in Canada were just above 98 million USD in 2022. This was a slight decrease from the previous year where the imports were just above 109 million USD. The sharpest climb was from 2017 to 2018 when the import value rose from about 7 million USD to over 133 million USD. The highest value was in 2018 when the imports were at above 133 million USD.
Here are the total values of import of cashews in Canada between 2013 and 2022.
Cashew Nut Price per kg in Canada
The cost of a kilo of cashews in Canada can be between 6.79 Canadian Dollars (5 USD) and 12.23 Canadian Dollars (9 USD). This is based on the average import price per kg. The wholesale price can go as high as 16.31 Canadian Dollars (12 USD).
The prices of cashew nuts change constantly due to factors such as global market prices and seasons. It is advisable to take note of these factors to determine the best time to purchase quality cashew nuts which meet your needs.
Cashews Canada
In Canada, cashew nuts vary in quality as some are considered a higher quality than others. High quality cashew nuts are more expensive hence it is important to be thorough when selecting cashews.
Whole cashews are of a higher quality than broken cashews; they have undamaged and non-split kernels. Types of whole cashews include: W-180, W-240, W-320, W-210 and W-450. They are of different qualities hence their prices vary. W-180 are the most expensive while w-450 are the cheapest. Whole cashews have a rich buttery, nutty flavor which is used in many recipes. This makes them more suitable for snacking.
Broken cashew nuts are shattered cashew nuts that have slight damages and the kernel may be shattered. Their appearance makes them more suitable for a different industry than whole cashews. They are mainly preferred as an ingredient or an additive to desserts.
You can purchase cashew nuts from various places in the country. If you want them in small quantities they are available in shops, supermarkets and street vendors. Otherwise, large quantities can be bought from retail stores and some online sources also provide services where they transport bulk cashews to your destination.
Final Note
Cashew nuts in Canada are essential for various reasons: they have various health benefits, they can be used in multiple industries such as their health benefits such as confectionary and baking, lubricant production, and culinary dishes. Due to these various functions, Canada’s cashew nuts consumption and market growth is excepted to continually increase.