Trade in small cardamom is low,

10-Oct-2025 07:07 PM

Prices are soft

New Delhi. Due to the high production of small cardamom in the country during the current season, daily arrivals of small cardamom at auction centers are currently brisk. Currently, daily arrivals of small cardamom at auction centers are reaching 1.50-2 lakh kilograms. Prices are suppressed due to increasing arrivals and low local demand. However, sources say that the falling prices of small cardamom should stop in the coming days. Since most of the stocks at consumption centers have been exhausted, buying from consumption centers will increase at auction centers after the festive season. Export trade is also progressing well.

Production

During the current season, the production of small cardamom in the country is expected to be higher than last year. It is noteworthy that small cardamom is produced in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Kerala accounts for 65-70 percent of the total production. Sources believe that the country's production of small cardamom during the current season is expected to be around 28,000-30,000 tons, which is approximately 4,000-5,000 tons more than last year.

Slowdown-Rise

Informed sources say that the price of small cardamom should improve after the Diwali festival, as daily arrivals at auction centers will begin to decline, while local and export demand may increase. Currently, the average price of small cardamom at auction centers is ₹2,400/₹2,425, while the quality price in the Delhi market is ₹2,200/₹3,100 per kg.

Import

Although the country has sufficient production of small cardamom, importers import cardamom from Guatemala due to its low price. According to data released by the Spices Board, while cardamom imports were only 311 tonnes in 2020-25, they increased to 2552 tonnes in 2023-24. In contrast, the imports for 2024-25 were 1318 tonnes.

Exports

In the first four months of the current financial year, cardamom exports have registered a remarkable growth of 44% in quantity and 98% in revenue. According to data released by the Spices Board, during April-July 2025, 2990 tonnes of cardamom were exported, earning ₹702.08 crore. During April-July 2024, exports were 2072 tonnes, earning ₹354.62 crore. During the year 2024-25 (April-March), the total export of small cardamom was 6727.80 tonnes and the export earnings were Rs 1566.82 crore.