what is the actual end product of the calvin cycle
While it's common practice to describe the Calvin Cycle as the set of reactions where the carbohydrates are created, this isn't entirely true. The end product of the Calvin Cycle is Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GAP), which isn't a carbohydrate. GAP is converted into sucrose or starch in reactions that take place outside of the Calvin Cycle. I've summarized these steps in the Post Calvin Cycle Reactions section at the bottom of this page.