Buyer guides / Product selection
In-shell walnuts vs. kernels for wholesale buyers
Compare in-shell walnuts and kernels by customer use, usable yield and cost per usable kilogram.
Choose the format based on how your customers use the walnuts. Whole-nut wholesalers may prioritize shell appearance and size uniformity. Bakeries and food manufacturers often need a defined kernel size mix and color range.
Evaluate the format your customer will receive
For in-shell walnuts, ask for the caliber, washing preference and acceptable shell defects. Check the appearance of an unopened sample and crack a representative portion to assess usable yield. For walnut kernels, agree on the target mix of halves, pieces and smaller fragments. Halves may suit visible toppings, while smaller pieces may suit dough or further processing.
Compare cost per usable kilogram
Add freight, handling, cracking and sorting to the cost of the in-shell offer. Divide the total by the usable kernel weight from your sample trial. For example, if a hypothetical 100 kg lot costs $240 in total and yields 45 kg of usable kernels, the cost is about $5.33 per usable kg. Apply the same calculation to the shelled offer, including sorting losses and using equivalent delivery terms.
Ask for quotes for the same end use
MingDa Food processes and packs both formats. Tell us what your customer will make or sell and which grade they need. If both formats are viable, request separate offers and use your own yield results to compare them.