Favorable Weather Boosts Small Cardamom Crop

11-Jul-2025 08:35 PM

Idukki. Due to good monsoon rains and favorable weather conditions in both the top producing states of South India—Kerala and Tamil Nadu—the crop of small cardamom is expected to benefit, and its harvesting is also likely to begin earlier this year compared to last year.

As a result, producers have started showing interest in unloading their old stock in auctions. Normally, the harvesting of new stock of small (green) cardamom begins from mid-July. It was delayed in previous years due to certain factors, but those are not present this time.

In the auction held recently in Kumily, about 37 tons of cardamom arrived, which was higher than the previous auction’s volume.

Good demand was observed from buyers, leading to a slight improvement in average auction prices. Disawari traders and exporters are actively building up stock ahead of the heavy monsoon rains, which could disrupt transport between July and September.

The festival season in India, beginning next month and continuing until November, is expected to boost demand and consumption of small cardamom.

Although weddings and some celebrations are avoided during the rainy months, various religious and regional festivals keep demand steady.

Indian exporters are optimistic about export performance as well, particularly due to reports of crop damage in Guatemala—the main global competitor.

This could give Indian exporters an advantage, especially in West Asia and the Gulf markets. The price of Indian cardamom remains competitive in the global market.