SLD Commodities Inc.

What SLD Commodities Inc. does

SLD Commodities Inc. is a U.S.-based importer and supplier of premium tree nuts founded in 1988 by Russell Lynch. The company sources cashews (from Vietnam, Brazil, and several African countries), hazelnuts (primarily Turkey), and Brazil nuts (Bolivia and Peru), and supplies them in multiple grades and forms to food manufacturers, retailers, and distributors globally. Its core technology stack is not disclosed; operations appear to be traditional commodity trading without a digital platform layer.

SLD operates a transaction-based revenue model with quote-based pricing, using a sales-led B2B go-to-market approach centered on direct outreach and relationship selling. Its facilities hold HACCP, BRC, and SMETA certifications, which serve as procurement-gate credentials for enterprise food buyers. The product portfolio is deliberately concentrated in three tree nut categories, with value-added processing options (whole, blanched, roasted, and flour forms) on hazelnuts to address confectionery and baking applications.

In 2024, SLD was acquired by Sunland Trading (established 1972), the original employer of founder Russell Lynch, returning the company to its founding origin. Douglas Lynch, Russell's son, continues as Vice President. SLD now operates as a strategic operating subsidiary of Sunland Trading, with a lean team of approximately six professionals based in New Canaan, Connecticut.

Name

SLD Commodities Inc.

Legal name

SLD Commodities Inc.

Website

https://sldcommodities.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SLD Commodities is a U.S.-based importer and supplier of premium cashews, hazelnuts, and Brazil nuts, sourcing globally to serve food manufacturers, retailers, and distributors worldwide. Founded 1988, it now operates as a subsidiary of Sunland Trading following the 2024 acquisition.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New Canaan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tree Nut Sales: SLD Commodities generates revenue through the import and sale of tree nuts (cashews, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts) to food manufacturers, retailers, and distributors. Transaction-based model with pricing based on commodity grades and specifications. Volume-driven business with global sourcing and distribution.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

SLD Commodities Inc. is a global sourcing and supply company that procures and distributes premium tree nuts — primarily cashews, hazelnuts, and Brazil nuts — from origins including Vietnam, Brazil, Africa, Turkey, Bolivia, and Peru to food manufacturers, retailers, and distributors. Founded in 1988, the firm operates as a small, relationship-driven trading house providing quality-controlled, certified nut supply to industrial and commercial buyers.

Product overview

SLD Commodities is a premium tree nuts importer and supplier offering a focused portfolio of three core products: Cashews, Hazelnuts (Filberts), and Brazil Nuts. The company sources these tree nuts from the world's best growing regions—cashews from Vietnam, Brazil, and African countries; hazelnuts primarily from Turkey; and Brazil nuts from Bolivia and Peru. Each product is available in multiple forms and grades to serve food manufacturers, retailers, and distributors worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cashew sourcing and supply Procurement and distribution of cashew kernels from origin countries including Vietnam, Brazil, and Africa, supplied to food manufacturers, retailers, and distributors.
• Hazelnut sourcing and supply Procurement and distribution of hazelnuts sourced primarily from Turkey, supplied to food manufacturers and ingredient buyers.
• Brazil nut sourcing and supply Procurement and distribution of Brazil nuts sourced primarily from Bolivia and Peru, supplied to food manufacturers, snack producers, and distributors.
• Quality-controlled nut supply Sourcing, specification matching, and supply of tree nuts under HACCP, BRC, and SMETA certifications for industrial and retail buyers.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Karimex Vietnam: Vietnam-based cashew processor and exporter supplying global markets. Comparable as a leading cashew origin-country supplier; key upstream counterparty rather than direct U.S. competitor.
• Select Harvests: Australian almond producer and marketer with growing tree nut (almond/hazelnut) operations. Comparable in tree nut production and B2B ingredient supply, primarily serving Asia-Pacific markets.

Broad incumbents

• Olam Food Ingredients (ofi): Global agricultural commodity merchant with significant cashew and tree nut operations across origins. Comparable as a large-scale, multi-origin tree nut supplier serving food manufacturers worldwide, though with a much broader portfolio.
• Blue Diamond Growers: Almond-focused grower cooperative that has expanded into broader tree nuts and snack ingredients. Comparable as a major branded tree nut supplier serving B2B and B2C channels globally.
• Diamond Foods: Tree nut processor and snack brand owner (Diamond of California, Kettle). Comparable in tree nut sourcing, processing, and B2B supply to food manufacturers and retailers.
• Sunland Trading (parent company): Major U.S. food importer (established 1972) that acquired SLD in 2024. Operates in adjacent tree nut and dried fruit categories with similar B2B food manufacturer customer base.

Direct peers

• Royal Nut Company: Importer and distributor of tree nuts, dried fruits, and seeds to food manufacturers and retailers in North America. Directly comparable in B2B tree nut import and distribution with similar product portfolio.
• Mariani Nut Company: Family-owned processor and global supplier of tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, pistachios, pecans) serving food manufacturers and retailers. Highly comparable in B2B tree nut distribution with multi-generation heritage.
• John B. Sanfilippo & Son: U.S.-based processor and distributor of tree nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios) to food manufacturers, retailers, and distributors. Directly comparable in product mix, B2B customer base, and value-added nut supply.

Others

• Bollore Logistics (commodity trade arm): Global logistics provider facilitating agricultural commodity trade including cashews from Africa and Asia. Adjacent peer serving similar origin-country export and import supply chains.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sld-commodities

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SLD Commodities Inc.