Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormRoasted kernels (snack-ready)
Industry PositionValue-added packaged snack product
Market
Roasted cashew nuts in Türkiye are an import-dependent snack category because the country has no material domestic cashew cultivation and relies on imported cashew kernels and prepared nuts. UN Comtrade-derived trade data for shelled cashew kernels (HS 080132) indicates Türkiye imported about USD 130 million in 2023, with Vietnam as the dominant supplier and additional supply from West Africa. Large Turkish dried-nut processors market roasted cashew products, and domestic roasting/packing is supported by imported “unroasted” cashew kernels sold in the same brand portfolios. Import entry is subject to Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry official controls and Turkish Food Codex compliance, making contaminant and documentation compliance central to market access.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market (with some regional re-export after local processing/packing)
Domestic RolePackaged snack nut product sold via FMCG retail and foodservice channels; also used as an ingredient in bakery/confectionery and mixed-nut products
SeasonalityYear-round availability driven by imports and domestic roasting/packing; no local harvest season.
Risks
Food Safety HighNon-compliance with Turkish Food Codex maximum limits for contaminants/mycotoxins in nuts can lead to import rejection, special processing requirements, diversion, or destruction during risk-based official controls, disrupting market access and causing severe financial loss.Use accredited pre-shipment testing and a lot-specific Certificate of Analysis aligned to Turkish Food Codex limits; maintain strict lot traceability and keep retention samples for dispute resolution.
Regulatory Compliance MediumErrors or gaps in GGBS pre-notification, shipment notification, or document/identity alignment can delay clearance and increase the likelihood of sampling and extended holds at the border.Run a pre-shipment document reconciliation (product name/GTİP/labels/lot codes/net weight) and ensure the importer files GGBS notifications within required lead times.
Supply Concentration MediumTürkiye’s shelled cashew kernel imports (HS 080132) are highly concentrated in a small set of supplier countries (notably Vietnam), making supply, quality, and price vulnerable to disruptions in dominant origins.Dual-source kernels across at least two origins and qualify backup suppliers with matching grades and validated contaminant-control programs.
Labor And Social MediumCashew processing in some origin countries can involve documented occupational health hazards for workers; buyers and downstream customers may require social compliance evidence, and negative findings can block listings or trigger delisting.Require supplier social audits (e.g., SMETA or equivalent), corrective action plans, and documented worker protection measures in shelling/processing operations.
Labor & Social- Upstream cashew processing in some origin countries can involve occupational health risks (e.g., dermatitis/burns associated with cashew nut shell oils and exposure during shelling/processing); importers may face buyer-driven social compliance expectations in supplier qualification.
Standards- BRCGS Food Safety
- IFS Food
- ISO 22000
- SMETA
FAQ
Does Türkiye produce cashew nuts domestically?No material domestic cashew cultivation is evidenced in the cited record; Türkiye’s roasted cashew market is supplied primarily through imports of cashew kernels and prepared nuts, including large imports of shelled cashew kernels (HS 080132) recorded in UN Comtrade-derived trade datasets.
Which countries are the main suppliers of cashew kernels to Türkiye?UN Comtrade-derived trade reporting for HS 080132 shows Vietnam as the dominant supplier to Türkiye in 2023, with additional significant supply from Côte d’Ivoire and other West African origins.
What are the key import-control steps for cashew nuts entering Türkiye?Plant-origin food imports are managed through GGBS pre-notification and shipment notification, followed by risk-based official controls by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (document and identity checks, plus physical control with sampling/lab analysis when required). Non-compliant shipments can be rejected, diverted, reprocessed under conditions, or destroyed.