Decline in small cardamom

08-Aug-2025 07:03 PM

Production more than last year

New Delhi. The phase of decline in the prices of small cardamom has started and there is no possibility of rise in the market right now because the arrival of new goods in the auctions at the production centers is increasing day by day. Currently, the daily arrival of small cardamom at the auction centers is increasing to more than 1/1.25 lakh kg. There is a possibility of further increase in the arrival after 15 August. Currently, export and local trade is decreasing. Because the sentiment in the market remains soft right now.

Production estimate

During the current season, the production of small cardamom in the country is considered to be more than last year because the weather at the production centers remains favorable for the crop. Due to which, this year, apart from the quality being good, the production will also increase. Sources believe that during the current season, the production of small cardamom in the country will be around 28/30 thousand tonnes. Whereas last year the production was 22/23 thousand tonnes.

Rise-Slow

There is no possibility of rise in the prices of cardamom as the daily arrival of new goods at the auction centers is constantly increasing. While spot and export trade is limited. Due to the slowdown in business sentiment, local stockists are also buying in less quantity. According to the information received, due to increase in daily arrival and weak demand at the auction centers, the average price of cardamom in auctions has come down to Rs 2540/2550 per kg. Which was being quoted at Rs 2725/2750 per kg at the beginning of the current month. At the consumption centers too, the market is being quoted with a slowdown but even at the reduced prices, the trade is low.

Import

Apart from India, cardamom is also produced in Guatemala. Prices remain low due to the low quality of Guatemala. Due to which importers import small cardamom from Guatemala. For the last two years, small cardamom is being imported in good quantity in the country. According to the data released by the Spices Board, in the year 2020-21, the import of small cardamom was 311 tonnes, while in 2022-23, 567 tonnes were imported. But in the year 2023-24, the import increased to a record level of 2552 tonnes. In the year 2024-25 also, imports of 1318 tonnes were done.

Export

Last year, an increase was recorded in the export of small cardamom. According to the data released by the Spices Board, during the year 2024-25 (April-March), the export of small cardamom was 6727.80 tonnes and the income from export was Rs 1566.82 crore, whereas during the year 2023-24, the export of small cardamom was 6168.13 tonnes and the income from export was Rs 999.60 crore. Thus, while on one hand the export in the form of peas increased by 9 percent, the income increased by 57 percent.

In the first two months of the current financial year 2025-26, the export of small cardamom registered a quantitative increase of 19 percent, while the income has jumped by a spectacular 83 percent. According to the information received, in April-May - 2025, the export of small cardamom was 1519.78 tonnes and the income from export was Rs 366.71 crore. Whereas the export of small cardamom in April-May-2024 was 1277 tonnes and the income obtained from export was Rs 200.84 crore.