Key facts
- India exported US$185 million of small cardamom in FY2024-25 (indianspices.com).
- Largest destinations by value: unavailable by country
- 1 production cluster mapped, in Kerala; Tamil Nadu; Karnataka.
- Market guides for 19 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, Spices Board CRES, Phytosanitary certificate, HACCP, ISO 22000 and more.
- Typical minimum order: LCL from about 500 kg-1 MT; airfreight for small urgent lots (typical).
Product overview
India's small (green) cardamom comes overwhelmingly from Kerala (18,310 t in 2024-25), with smaller volumes from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, per Spices Board. Exports were US$ 184.65 million in FY2024-25 and jumped to US$ 413.2 million in FY2025-26, as Guatemala's supply tightened.
Cardamom is auctioned through Spices Board e-auctions at Puttady (Kerala) and Bodinayakanur (Tamil Nadu), then graded by pod size (6, 7, 8 mm and above), colour (deep green is premium) and litre weight. The Alleppey Green Cardamom GI and AGEB (Alleppey Green Extra Bold) grades are recognised internationally.
The Gulf - particularly Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait - is the largest market for cardamom used in qahwa (Arabic coffee). Pesticide residues have historically been a concern for Indian cardamom, so lab-tested, MRL-compliant lots are important for EU and Gulf buyers.
HS note: Indian ITC(HS) separates small (green) and large (black) cardamom at 8-digit level; ground cardamom is 0908 32.
Specifications
| Pod size | 6-7 mm, 7-8 mm, 8 mm+ (typical grades) |
|---|---|
| Litre weight | ≥ 415-450 g/L depending on grade (typical) |
| Moisture | ≤ 10-12% (typical) |
| Colour | Uniform deep green, no artificial colour |
| Volatile oil | ≥ 6-8 ml/100 g (typical) |
| Splits / empty pods | ≤ 2-5% (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
AGEB (Alleppey Green Extra Bold, 7 mm+)
Premium export grade.
8 mm+ bold
Top size for Gulf retail.
6-7 mm / 7-8 mm
Standard export grades.
Seeds and powder
Decorticated seeds and ground cardamom for food manufacturers.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk | 10-25 kg cartons or poly-lined bags | Light and high value - often in cartons |
| Retail | 50 g-1 kg pouches and jars | Private label |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP about 6-9 MT (volume-limited) · 40' HC about 12-16 MT (volume-limited). Low-density pods; most trade ships LCL because of high unit value
Customisation: Size grading, seeds/powder, retail packs, organic lots
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Kerala
Idukki, Wayanad, Palakkad
Vandanmedu / Kumily / Puttady - core cardamom belt; Alleppey Green Cardamom GI
Tamil Nadu
Theni, Dindigul
Bodinayakanur auction centre
Karnataka
Kodagu, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru
Smaller volumes
Market requirements by region
European Union
EU: ethylene oxide is effectively not permitted (MRL 0.1 mg/kg sum for spices) and Spices Board runs mandatory EtO testing for EU/UK-bound spice consignments; pesticide MRLs under Reg. 396/2005 are the main rejection cause - test against the EU Pesticides Database before shipping. Indian cardamom has historically faced MRL issues - supply multi-residue tested lots.
United States & Canada
USA: the packing facility needs FDA Food Facility Registration, every shipment needs FDA Prior Notice, and the US importer must run FSVP supplier verification. US tariff treatment of Indian goods changed several times in 2025-26 (reciprocal tariffs, product exemptions, a Feb-2026 India-US framework and later court rulings) - verify the current duty for the HTS line before quoting landed cost.
United Kingdom
UK: extra control measures have applied to Indian spice imports since May 2024 after the EtO episode; the India-UK CETA (in force 15 July 2026, reported) gives tariff preference with proof of origin.
Gulf (GCC)
Saudi Arabia: the importer registers the establishment and each product on SFDA's Ghad platform; FASAH clearance needs certificate of origin, invoice showing batch and expiry, health/phytosanitary certificate as applicable; Arabic labelling per SFDA.FD/GSO 9. Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait are the core cardamom markets for Arabic coffee; buyers favour 7-8 mm+ deep-green pods and check pesticide residues.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Quality control
- • Pre-shipment inspection by SGS / Bureau Veritas / Intertek on request
- • Accredited (NABL) lab report for moisture, aflatoxin, pesticide residues and microbials
- • Pre-shipment and loading photographs, container seal record
- • Ethylene oxide (EtO) test certificate for EU/UK lots
- • Steam sterilisation on request
- • Size and litre-weight check
- • Pesticide residue screen (multi-residue panel)
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • Spices Board CRES
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • HACCP
- • ISO 22000
- • BRCGS Food Safety
- • Halal certificate
- • Kosher certificate
- • India Organic (NPOP)
- • Geographical Indication (GI)
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • Certificate of analysis (EtO, pesticides, aflatoxin, Sudan dyes where relevant)
- • Spices Board quality certificate where required
- • Fumigation certificate (if specified)
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India exportsLine: Small cardamom | 184.7 | verified | indianspices.com |
Top destinations: unavailable by country
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
What does AGEB mean?
Alleppey Green Extra Bold - a premium Indian green cardamom grade with large, well-filled pods, typically 7 mm and above.
How is cardamom priced?
By pod size, colour and litre weight; larger, greener and heavier pods command higher prices.
Is Indian cardamom competitive with Guatemala?
Indian cardamom is generally priced higher for its aroma and oil content; India's exports rose sharply in FY2025-26 (US$ 413.2 million per Spices Board).
Can cardamom be shipped LCL?
Yes, because cardamom is light and high value, most orders ship as LCL or even by air.
How should cardamom be stored?
In airtight, moisture-proof packing away from light to keep the green colour and volatile oil.
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