Tanzania Cashew Auctions 2026/27: A Buyer Timeline Before Shipment

Tanzania's Cashewnut Board expects the 2026/27 raw cashew auctions to begin on 19 October 2026, according to its notice dated 8 September. That is an auction opening, not a promise of a loaded container. If you are planning a new-crop purchase, ask for the Board's current timetable, the identified warehouse lot and a realistic release and shipping plan before you commit to a date.

What the 19 October date does and does not mean

The notice says auctions are expected to begin on that date. It does not give a first-shipment date, guarantee the crop size or establish the terms of an individual buyer's contract. Harvest timing, drying and grading determine when a lot is ready for warehouse intake. The auction then establishes a sale; payment, release, export documents and the vessel booking still have to follow. Do not turn a planning date into a delivery promise.

The questions to settle before reserving a new-crop lot

• Which Board notice and auction date are you relying on? Check the current official timetable rather than an older season calendar.
• Which growing district, crop year and warehouse lot will be offered? Ask for the lot identity and a sample rather than buying a generic 'new crop' claim.
• What are the raw nut's moisture, nut count and kernel out-turn? Put the tested values and acceptable tolerances in the specification.
• When can the purchased lot be released, cleared and booked? Ask the exporter to confirm the port, named Incoterm place and sailing before agreeing the loading window.

If you are buying kernels rather than raw cashew nuts, keep the two timelines separate. A kernel quotation also needs processing, grading, per-lot testing and vacuum packing before shipment. The first raw-nut auction does not set a universal kernel availability date. Ask which processed lot and grade the quotation covers.

How to request a useful quotation

Name RCN or a kernel grade, your required quantity, destination port and target shipment window. For an RCN lot, request the out-turn and moisture test with the crop-year and district record. For kernels, request the count and food-safety test tied to the lot. Ask for FOB with the named loading port under Incoterms 2020 as the starting basis; discuss CIF or CFR only when the freight and timing can be confirmed for your lane. We quote against a defined lot, not the headline auction date.