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What is the story about?
India’s exports of whole cardamom more than tripled in value to $436.8 million in 2025-26 from $131.9 million in 2023-24, while shipment volumes more than doubled during the period, according to Commerce Ministry data.
The data showed that exports of whole cardamom stood at $436.8 million in 2025-26, compared with $201.2 million in 2024-25 and $131.9 million in 2023-24.
In volume terms, outbound shipments increased to 16,399 tonnes in 2025-26 from 7,674 tonnes in the previous financial year and 7,083 tonnes in 2023-24.
An official said the sharp rise in exports reflects growing global demand for premium spices, improved quality production, and an increasing preference among overseas buyers for Indian cardamom because of its aroma, quality, and purity.
The main export destinations for whole cardamom include the UAE ($135.22 million), Saudi Arabia ($125.16 million), Bangladesh ($47.71 million), Kuwait ($20 million), Iraq ($13.71 million), and Malaysia ($8.48 million).
Countries such as the Netherlands, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, China, Egypt, and Iran also import the spice from India.
Cardamom cultivation in India is broadly divided into two main varieties: small cardamom, grown in the southern Western Ghats, and large cardamom, cultivated in the sub-Himalayan north-eastern region.
Kerala is the country's largest producer of small cardamom, accounting for over 56-58% of total production. The key growing districts include Idukki, Wayanad, and Palakkad.
It is followed by Karnataka, where the crop is grown in Coorg, Hassan, and Chikmagalur, and Tamil Nadu, where cultivation is concentrated in the Nilgiris, Palani, and Pulney Hills.
Large cardamom, often used in Ayurvedic medicines and hearty spice blends, is primarily grown in high-altitude north-eastern states such as Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
The data showed that exports of whole cardamom stood at $436.8 million in 2025-26, compared with $201.2 million in 2024-25 and $131.9 million in 2023-24.
In volume terms, outbound shipments increased to 16,399 tonnes in 2025-26 from 7,674 tonnes in the previous financial year and 7,083 tonnes in 2023-24.
An official said the sharp rise in exports reflects growing global demand for premium spices, improved quality production, and an increasing preference among overseas buyers for Indian cardamom because of its aroma, quality, and purity.
The main export destinations for whole cardamom include the UAE ($135.22 million), Saudi Arabia ($125.16 million), Bangladesh ($47.71 million), Kuwait ($20 million), Iraq ($13.71 million), and Malaysia ($8.48 million).
Countries such as the Netherlands, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, China, Egypt, and Iran also import the spice from India.
Cardamom cultivation in India is broadly divided into two main varieties: small cardamom, grown in the southern Western Ghats, and large cardamom, cultivated in the sub-Himalayan north-eastern region.
Kerala is the country's largest producer of small cardamom, accounting for over 56-58% of total production. The key growing districts include Idukki, Wayanad, and Palakkad.
It is followed by Karnataka, where the crop is grown in Coorg, Hassan, and Chikmagalur, and Tamil Nadu, where cultivation is concentrated in the Nilgiris, Palani, and Pulney Hills.
Large cardamom, often used in Ayurvedic medicines and hearty spice blends, is primarily grown in high-altitude north-eastern states such as Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
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