Cashews

Premium Cashews: Nature's Perfect Snack

Handpicked Quality, Every Time

The Richard Franco Agency, Inc. made its start in 1947 as an agent for Indian cashew suppliers and has retained its role as a leading broker / agent in the industry ever since. In addition to its NJ headquarters, RFA has offices in Brazil, India and Vietnam and represent sellers in all major regions from which cashew kernels are exported.

Sustainably Sourced Cashews: Premium Quality You Can Trust

At Richard Franco Agency, we provide premium cashew solutions that combine quality and sustainability. Whether you need bulk cashews for production or top-tier cashews for retail, we ensure a reliable, consistent supply. Our cashews are responsibly sourced from farms that prioritize sustainable practices, reducing deforestation, protecting ecosystems, and promoting soil health. By supporting local farmers, we contribute to fair wages and economic growth in the communities where our cashews are grown. Trust Richard Franco Agency for high-quality, eco-friendly cashews that support your business and the planet.

Learn About Our Sustainability

A STEP BY STEP GUIDE

A Cashew's Journey

For more than 60 years The Richard Franco Agency, Inc. (Franco) has provided importers and exporters with the best market access and information in tree nuts and other specialty products. Central to that mission, Franco focuses its efforts on maximizing service, honesty and integrity.

Step 1: Harvesting
Step 2: Packing
Step 3: Processing
Step 4: Quality Check
Step 5: Loading
Step 6: Shipping
Step 7: Importing
Step 8: Warehouse Transport
Step 9: Customer Transport
Step 10: Recieve & Review
Step 11: Production

Raw Cashew Nuts are harvested from trees, originating in Africa or SE asia. For this example we can use Ivory Coast, where the cashew harvest season is Feb-July. The in-shell RCN is removed from the fruit and then aggregated typically from many small farms. Many small hold cashew farms in Africa were planted as part of the Gates' foundation initiative. The RCN is then set out to dry in the sun before shipment.

The RCN is packed and loaded onto a cargo ship bound for Vietnam and delivered to RFA's bonded warehouse in Vietnam, or directly to a processor.

At the processor, the RCN is de-shelled, and the testa (skin of the nut) is removed. The kernels are then graded by size and quality. The graded nuts are then packed in vacuum sealed bags and 50 lb cartons which are properly labelled.

The kernels are tested for microbiological contamination, including E. coli, Listeria, aflatoxins, and certain pesticides, by a certified laboratory. The kernels are also run through xray or metal detection before packing to control for foreign material. The supplier also signs on to our Code of Conduct (fair labor practices), provides allergen declaration, as well as applicable Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) required documentation.

The cartons are loaded into shipping containers by the processor and then head off to port where they are loaded onto a container ship.

The container ship makes the journey to the US, either the West Coast or East Coast. The booking of the ship dependent on the needs of the customer.

As this is happening RFA receives all the needed documentation for the import, including the test report, customs clearance documents etc...if there are any issues with these reports RFA will hold this container and substitute a clear one for our customer.

Once the ship docks, the container is unloaded and transported to a trusted US warehouse, where it awaits transport to the customer. Other alternatives to this include direct delivery from the port to customer, or potentially transportation to a pasteurization facility if the customer is looking for ready to eat product.

Assuming transportation to the customer after the warehouse, RFA arranges for transport to the customers facility. In some cases this may actually involved being loaded onto a train if the customer is far inland (such as Chicago, for example).

Once the container is received by the customer they unpack the container and inspect it before use, if there were to be an issue they can reach out to us to put it right.

The kernals are then used in the customers production process, typically roasting, salting and pack into retail packaging for distribution to consumers.