Cashew nut shell (CNS) has been studied for the product distribution in a packed bed vacuum pyrolysis unit. The effect of pyrolysis temperatures on the product yields is also studied. The oil-to-liquid ratio in the pyrolysis products was found to remain almost constant in the range between 400 o C and 550 o C. The properties of CNS oil has been found to be amazingly near to that of petroleum fuels with calorific value as high as 40MJkg - 1 , the oil has a low ash content (0.01%) and water content is limited to 3-3.5wt% of oil.