The Oman market for Indian cashew kernels
UAE: Dubai Municipality FIRS requires the importer to register the company and each food item (label assessment) before arrival; Arabic/English labelling per GSO 9; India-UAE CEPA preference with a CEPA certificate of origin. UAE and Saudi Arabia are major buyers of whole grades for retail and gifting.
Indian community in Oman (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 678,837 (NRI 676,781 + PIO 2,056).
Cashew Kernels specification for Oman orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Count (white wholes) | W180: 170-180/lb; W240: 220-240/lb; W320: 300-320/lb; W450: 400-450/lb (AFI-style grading) |
| Moisture | ≤ 5% (typical) |
| Broken in wholes | ≤ 5% (typical) |
| Lower grade allowance | ≤ 5% (typical) |
| Packing atmosphere | Vacuum with CO2/N2 flush |
| Aflatoxin / Salmonella | Per destination limits; Salmonella absent (typical) |
Final values are agreed per contract, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Shipping cashew kernels to Oman
Typical sea transit from India: 3–5 d Mundra/Nhava Sheva → Sohar/Muscat; 4–6 d Salalah (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) days.
Supply window: Indian cashew kernels is mainly produced or harvested Indian RCN harvest Feb-Jun (VERIFIED APEDA/GCC crop calendar); processing year-round on imported RCN. Allow 3–5 d Mundra/Nhava Sheva → Sohar/Muscat; 4–6 d Salalah (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and Oman customs when you set delivery dates.
Container loading (estimate): 20' about 700 cartons (≈ 15.9 MT) of 50 lb, 40' HC about 1,300-1,400 cartons (≈ 29-31 MT) limited by payload - often loaded 1,200 cartons.
Quoted on FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA; CIF Oman is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Oman
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Muscat | Port Sultan Qaboos (Muttrah; now mainly cruise/tourism, cargo shifted to Sohar) / Port of | Indian diaspora grocery & restaurants (Indians largest expat group), LuLu/Nesto-type hypermarket chains HQ, HORECA |
| Salalah | Port of Salalah (APM Terminals; major transshipment hub, Arabian Sea) · Salalah Internatio | Indian grocery, transshipment-linked logistics & re-exporters to East Africa/Yemen, free-zone manufacturers (inputs) |
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from India to Oman take?
Typically 3–5 d Mundra/Nhava Sheva → Sohar/Muscat; 4–6 d Salalah (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) days at sea (estimate).
Does Oman have a trade agreement with India?
India–Oman CEPA signed 18 Dec 2025, in force 1 Jun 2026 (zero duty on ~99% of Indian export lines per S10) [S7][S9][S10] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to cashew kernels from India?
Usually HS 080132. Oman applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
What does W320 mean?
White wholes with 300-320 kernels per pound - the most widely traded cashew grade.
Which grade is the largest?
W180 ('king cashew') is the largest commercial white-whole grade, at about 170-180 kernels per pound.
How are cashews packed for export?
In 50 lb (22.68 kg) cartons holding two vacuum tins or flexible pouches flushed with CO2 or nitrogen.
Related guides
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