Introduction

Most of our cashew and coffee harvest goes into our own brands: cashews into the Udari Nuts & Spices range, and coffee into Desco premixes. But farming does not always fit neatly into brand plans. Some seasons give more than our brands need, some grades suit other users better, and our Scotch bonnet chillies and golden pumpkins are sold fresh. That is why we also supply trade buyers in bulk, subject to season and availability.

Buying agricultural produce in bulk is very different from buying a packed product off a shelf. Raw cashew nuts and green coffee are natural products whose value depends on measurable qualities: moisture, size, defects and, for cashews, how much kernel each nut contains. Fresh produce is judged on ripeness, condition and how quickly it reaches the kitchen.

This article explains what we can supply, the quality measures buyers use for each product, how samples are taken and tested, how produce is packed and stored, the documents involved, and how to place an order. It is written for processors, roasters, traders, exporters, hotels, restaurants and food manufacturers.

What we supply

All supply is subject to season and availability. Cashews and coffee are harvested once a year, so the largest volumes are available after their harvest seasons. Fresh produce follows its own growing cycles.

Raw cashew nuts: what buyers measure

Raw cashew nuts (often called RCN in the trade) are bought for processing into kernels. Their value depends on how much good kernel they contain. Our guide to cashew processing for Udari explains how raw nuts are processed.

Moisture

Raw nuts must be dry enough to store safely. High moisture leads to mould, discoloured kernels and weight loss in storage. Buyers commonly look for moisture below about 8% to 10%. We sun-dry our nuts after harvest and check moisture before they are bagged.

Nut count

Nut count is the number of raw nuts in one kilogram. A lower count means larger nuts, which usually produce larger, more valuable kernels. Nut count is measured by counting the nuts in a weighed sample.

Kernel outturn (KOR)

Kernel outturn is the most important single measure of raw cashew quality. It shows how much good kernel can be obtained from the nuts. In international trade, it is usually expressed as pounds of good kernel per 80 kg bag of raw nuts. It is measured with a cut test: a sample of nuts is cut open by hand, the kernels are examined and sorted into good and defective kernels, and the weight of good kernel is used to calculate the outturn.

Defects

The cut test also shows defective kernels, such as:

• Immature or shrivelled kernels, from nuts harvested too early;
• Spotted or discoloured kernels, often linked to insects or moisture;
• Mouldy kernels, usually from poor drying or storage; and
• Void nuts, which have no kernel inside.

Foreign matter

Buyers also check for stones, dust, bits of cashew apple and other material, which add weight but no value.

Why our nuts perform well

Because we collect only nuts that have fallen naturally when fully mature, remove damaged and empty nuts at collection, and dry them carefully, our raw nuts are prepared to give good kernel outturn and low defect levels. Each lot can be sampled and cut-tested before purchase.

Green coffee: what buyers measure

Green coffee is the dried, hulled, unroasted bean. Our coffee plantation and coffee processing guides explain how we grow and process it.

Moisture

Green coffee should usually be between about 10% and 12% moisture. Too dry and it loses flavour; too wet and it can grow mould.

Screen size

Beans are sorted by size through screens measured in sixty-fourths of an inch. Buyers often specify a minimum screen size, because even-sized beans roast more evenly.

Defects

Green coffee is graded by counting defects in a standard sample. The Specialty Coffee Association’s green grading method uses a 350 g sample and classifies defects such as full black beans, sour beans, insect damage, broken beans, shells and foreign matter. Fewer defects mean a higher grade.

Cup quality

Most buyers roast and taste a sample (cupping) before buying. Cupping assesses aroma, flavour, acidity, body, sweetness, balance and any off-flavours.

Species and processing

Buyers will want to know whether the coffee is Arabica or Robusta, and whether it was processed by the washed, natural or honey method, because these strongly affect flavour and use.

Typical green coffee specification sheet

Fresh Scotch bonnets and golden pumpkins

Fresh produce is judged differently from dried commodities. Speed, handling and condition matter most.

Scotch bonnet chillies

We hand-pick Scotch bonnets ripe, with stalks attached, and sort them in the shade. Buyers can expect firm, glossy pods with full colour and no damage. Chillies are packed in ventilated crates or bags and dispatched quickly, because fresh chillies are perishable. Green (unripe) chillies can be supplied on request. Our Scotch bonnet chilli guide explains how we grow them.

Golden pumpkins

We harvest golden pumpkins when fully ripe, cut them with long stalks and cure them before sale. Cured pumpkins keep well, which allows more flexible delivery. Pumpkins can be sorted by size for kitchens that need even portions. Our golden pumpkin guide explains how we grow and store them.

Fresh produce grading guide

Sampling: how buyers check before buying

Good trade starts with good samples. For raw cashew nuts and green coffee, samples should represent the whole lot, not just the top of a few bags. Samples are usually taken from many bags across the lot with a sampling spear, mixed and divided.

We provide samples on request, so buyers can carry out their own tests: cut tests for raw cashew nuts, and moisture tests, defect counts and cupping for green coffee. For larger orders, buyers or their appointed inspectors can sample the lot before dispatch.

Packing and storage

Jute bags are used for raw cashews and green coffee because they breathe, which helps prevent condensation and mould. Hermetic liners, which keep out air and moisture, are increasingly used for green coffee to protect quality during long storage or shipping.

Documents

For local orders, we provide an invoice and delivery note, with lot details and any agreed quality information.

For export orders, typical documents include a commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and a phytosanitary certificate from Sri Lanka’s National Plant Quarantine Service, which confirms that plant products meet the importing country’s plant health rules. Buyers should check their own country’s import requirements, which may include additional certificates or tests. The exact documents depend on the product, the destination and the agreed terms.

Protecting quality after delivery

Good produce can lose quality quickly if it is stored badly after delivery. Buyers can protect their stock with a few simple practices.

Raw cashew nuts

• Store bags on pallets, off the floor and away from walls, so air can circulate.
• Keep the store dry and well ventilated, and avoid temperature swings that cause condensation.
• Check bags regularly for signs of damp, mould or storage insects.
• Process older stock first, so no lot sits too long.

Green coffee

• Keep green coffee cool, dry and away from sunlight.
• Store it away from spices, chemicals, fuels and other strong smells, because coffee absorbs odours easily.
• Use hermetic liners for long storage, especially in humid weather.
• Roast green coffee within its best period; very old green coffee can taste flat or woody.

Fresh produce

• Unpack Scotch bonnets on arrival and keep them cool, ideally refrigerated, in ventilated containers.
• Keep pumpkins in a cool, airy place in single layers, and use any with marks or cuts first.

Seasonal availability

Because we supply what we grow, availability follows the seasons. The guide below shows when each product is usually available. Exact timing changes from year to year with the weather.

We recommend that regular buyers share their expected needs early in the season, so we can plan harvests and reserve suitable lots.

Questions to ask any produce supplier

Whether you buy from us or elsewhere, these questions help protect your business:

• Who grew the crop, and can the supplier explain how it was harvested and dried?
• Can I have a representative sample before I order?
• What are the moisture levels, and how were they measured?
• For raw cashew nuts: what are the nut count and kernel outturn from a cut test?
• For green coffee: what are the species, processing method, screen size and defect count?
• How will the produce be packed, and how long has it been stored?
• What documents will come with the delivery?
• What happens if the delivery does not match the agreed specification?

A good supplier will answer these questions clearly and in writing.

Trade terms explained

How to order

1. Tell us what you need. Product, quantity, grade or specification, delivery date and delivery location.
2. Check availability. We confirm what can be supplied, based on the season and current stocks.
3. Request samples. For raw cashew nuts and green coffee, we provide representative samples for testing.
4. Agree terms. Specification, packing, delivery, documents and payment terms are agreed in a written quotation.
5. Final checks. Lots are checked before dispatch, and buyers may inspect if agreed.
6. Delivery. Produce is packed and delivered as agreed, with the relevant documents.

Call +94 70 724 9800 or use our contact form to start an enquiry.

Why buy direct from the grower?

Buying directly from the farm that grows the crop has advantages:

• Traceability. You know where your produce comes from and how it was grown and handled.
• Consistency. Our growing, harvesting and drying practices are the same ones we use for our own brands.
• Quality focus. Because our harvest supplies Udari and Desco, our standards are set by our own brands’ needs.
• Communication. You deal directly with the people who manage the crop, so questions about harvest timing, quality and quantities get clear answers.

Illustrative example

The following example is illustrative and does not describe a real buyer.

A small coffee roaster wants to add a Sri Lankan coffee to its range. It contacts us after the harvest and asks for samples of washed Arabica. We send a sample with information on processing, moisture and screen size. The roaster roasts and cups the sample, likes its clean, sweet profile and asks for a quotation for several bags.

We agree the specification, packing in jute bags with hermetic liners, and a delivery date. Before dispatch, the lot is checked for moisture and defects, and the roaster receives the coffee with its delivery documents. Later in the year, the same roaster asks about Scotch bonnet chillies for a hot sauce project, and we arrange regular fresh deliveries during the chilli season.

Frequently asked questions

Do you supply raw cashew nuts all year?

Raw cashew nuts are harvested once a year, so the main supply is available after the harvest season, while stocks last.

Can I get a sample before ordering?

Yes. We provide representative samples of raw cashew nuts and green coffee, so you can test them before buying.

Do you export?

Export enquiries are welcome. Export orders need the right documents, including a phytosanitary certificate, and must meet the importing country’s rules.

Can I buy cashew kernels or roasted coffee in bulk?

Our finished cashew products are sold under the Udari brand, and our coffee is sold as Desco premixes. For bulk or catering quantities of finished products, please contact us.

What is the minimum order?

Minimum quantities depend on the product and season. Contact us with your requirements and we will advise.

How quickly can fresh chillies be delivered?

Fresh Scotch bonnets are dispatched soon after picking. Delivery timing depends on your location and the quantity required.

Can you supply a specific grade or screen size?

Often, yes. Tell us the specification you need, such as a minimum screen size for green coffee or a target nut count for raw cashew nuts, and we will confirm what is available from the current season’s lots.

Do you supply the same buyers every season?

We welcome regular buyers. Sharing your expected needs early in the season helps us plan harvests and reserve suitable lots for you.

Conclusion

Buying agricultural produce in bulk depends on clear quality measures, honest samples, careful packing and good communication. For raw cashew nuts, that means moisture, nut count, kernel outturn and defects. For green coffee, it means moisture, screen size, defects and cup quality. For fresh chillies and pumpkins, it means ripeness, condition and speed.

Because we grow our produce for our own brands, Udari and Desco, the same care goes into every bag and crate we supply to trade buyers.

Ready to discuss your requirements? Contact us.

Request a Bulk Quote

Sources

• FAO, cashew cultivation and processing practices in Sri Lanka: https://www.fao.org/4/ac451e/ac451e08.htm
• Specialty Coffee Association, green coffee grading and research: https://sca.coffee/research
• National Plant Quarantine Service, Department of Agriculture Sri Lanka (export phytosanitary certification): https://doa.gov.lk/npqs/
• The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka), cashew industry in a crunch amid rising demand (July 2025): https://www.sundaytimes.lk/250713/business-times/cashew-industry-in-a-crunch-amid-rising-demand-bureaucratic-hurdles-603719.html