XP-0023 Spices
Asafoetida
Top-grade Asafoetida with rich aroma and intense flavor, processed under hygienic conditions for global export.
FSSAIISO 22000APEDA
Min. Order
500 Kg
🌿 Vegetarian Product
✓ Non-GMO
🌱 Organic Available
Spices SKU: XP-0184
Green Cardamom
Premium aromatic Green Cardamom sourced from Indian plantations, graded for superior size and quality.
Commercial Trade Terms
Min. Order (MOQ)
100 kg
HS Code
09083110
Origin
India (Kerala/Sikkim)
Price Range
Price on Request
Export Documents
- Certificate of Origin (Spices Board of India)
- Phytosanitary Certificate
- Spices Board of India Certificate
- Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- Pesticide Residue Test Report (EU MRL)
- Essential Oil Content Certificate
- Fumigation Certificate (if required)
Available Bag Sizes
100g250g500g1kg5kg25kg
Available Bag Types
PP (Polypropylene)BOPP LaminatedJuteVacuum Pack
Product Overview
Green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), titled the 'Queen of Spices', is the world's third most expensive spice by weight and one of the most volatile commodities in the global spice trade. India — specifically the high-altitude forests of Kerala's Cardamom Hills and Sikkim — is the primary origin for true Malabar cardamom, which delivers volatile oil content of 8–10%, substantially higher than the 5–7% typical of Guatemalan-origin cardamom that dominates the commodity segment. This essential oil differential, not just flavour but also extraction yield, is the core commercial argument for sourcing Indian green cardamom for value-added applications.
Four commercial grades serve distinct buyer profiles: Extra Bold (8mm+ pods, the premium retail and luxury confectionery grade), Bold (7–8mm, the standard EU and Middle East export grade), Medium (6–7mm, for blending and food manufacturing), and Decorticated Seeds (stripped from pods for powder and flavour extraction). Indian green cardamom is graded principally on pod size, colour uniformity, and volatile oil content — with Spices Board India certification and APEDA compliance providing the documentation backbone for regulated market entry. The EU, USA, Japan, and Middle East are the principal export destinations, each with distinct grade preferences.
Green cardamom demand is driven by three permanent channels — South Asian culinary tradition (chai, biryanis, sweets, masala blends), Middle Eastern coffee culture (qahwa, cardamom-infused Arabic coffee), and European confectionery and bakery — supplemented by growing functional food and wellness applications exploiting cardamom's digestive and antioxidant properties. Price volatility is structural: Indian cardamom prices can double or halve within a single season depending on monsoon performance in Kerala and Gujarat auction outcomes. Forward contracts and phased purchase agreements are therefore standard practice for volume buyers. Indian exporters offer Spices Board certification, ISO 22000 compliance, and flexible grades from single origin, making India the preferred source for buyers who require both premium quality documentation and scalable supply.
As a leading manufacturer and exporter in India, IndianXporter ensures that our Green Cardamom meets the stringent quality requirements of international markets. Our robust supply chain allows us to fulfill bulk orders consistently, offering highly competitive FOB and CIF pricing to our B2B partners worldwide.
Our processing facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, ensuring that every shipment of Green Cardamom is thoroughly sorted, cleaned, and graded. We adhere to global food safety and industrial standards, backed by third-party inspections from agencies like SGS upon buyer request.
🌿
Varieties Found in India
Regional cultivars available for bulk export
Malabar (ICRI-1)
Idukki, Kerala
Largest bold-green grade. High volatile oil (8–10%). Top export.
Mysore
Coorg, Karnataka
Slender capsule, strong aroma. Preferred in Middle East.
Vazhukka
Kerala
Round, short capsule. High essential oil content.
Specific variety available on request — mention in your RFQ.
What is Green Cardamom?
Green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is the 'Queen of Spices' — the world's third most expensive spice after saffron and vanilla. The small triangular green pods contain 15–20 aromatic seeds rich in cineole, terpinene, and other volatile compounds that produce cardamom's distinctive sweet-spicy, floral-camphoraceous aroma. India's Idukki district in Kerala is the world's original and most prestigious cardamom-growing region, producing varieties that consistently command global premiums.
Indian green cardamom is classified by pod size — Bold (8mm+) being the premium grade for Middle Eastern chai and culinary use, while smaller grades supply spice blending and grinding markets. The high volatile oil content (8–10%) of Kerala-grown cardamom exceeds Guatemalan alternatives, making it the preferred source for luxury tea blenders, perfumers, and pharmaceutical companies.
Guatemala has overtaken India as the world's largest cardamom producer by volume (approximately 60% global share), but Indian cardamom maintains a 20–40% price premium due to superior volatile oil content, the Spices Board certification infrastructure, and the cultural preference for 'Malabar Cardamom' among discerning Middle Eastern buyers.
Technical Specifications
| Volatile Oil Content | 8–10% (Indian); 5–7% (Guatemalan) |
| Moisture | 12% Max |
| Total Ash | 8% Max |
| Extraneous Matter | 0.5% Max |
| Immature Pods | 3% Max (Bold grade) |
| Discoloured Pods | 5% Max |
| Pod Size (Extra Bold) | 8mm+ length |
| Pod Size (Bold) | 7–8mm |
| Pod Size (Medium) | 6–7mm |
| Salmonella | Absent in 25g |
| Aflatoxin Total | < 10 ppb |
Commercial Grades & Classification
Extra Bold (8mm+)
Processing: Hand-sorted, uniform size, maximum green colour retention
Colour: Bright green, uniform
Use Case: Middle East luxury chai, premium gifting, fine dining — highest value per pod
+30–50% over Bold grade
Bold (7–8mm)
Processing: Machine-graded, sorted, export standard
Colour: Green, mostly uniform
Use Case: GCC and European retail, spice blenders, HORECA supply — standard export
Base export grade
Medium (6–7mm)
Processing: Machine-graded, smaller pods
Colour: Green, some variation
Use Case: Industrial spice blending, grinding for powder, price-sensitive markets
-15–20% below Bold grade
Decorticated Seeds
Processing: Pods removed, seeds extracted and dried
Colour: Dark brown-black seeds
Use Case: Baking industry, flavour extraction, pharmaceutical applications
Variable — higher essential oil per kg
Indicative FOB Pricing
Prices are indicative. Request a formal quote for contractual pricing.
| Grade | FOB Price (USD/MT) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Bold Green Cardamom (8mm+) | $12,000 – $18,000/MT | Premium grade — Middle East luxury market Q1 2026 |
| Bold Green Cardamom (7–8mm) | $9,000 – $14,000/MT | Standard export benchmark — GCC and EU buyers |
| Medium Green Cardamom (6–7mm) | $7,000 – $11,000/MT | Industrial blending and grinding grade |
| Cardamom Powder | $11,000 – $16,000/MT | Value-added, higher essential oil per unit |
Price Influencing Factors
- •Kerala monsoon performance — August flooding or drought directly impacts Idukki yield
- •Guatemala harvest — Guatemala controls 60% of global volume; poor Guatemalan crop lifts Indian prices
- •GCC Ramadan buying surge — Middle East buyers front-load cardamom procurement before Ramadan for chai consumption
- •Essential oil prices — when cardamom oil prices rise, processors compete with food buyers for crop
- •Volatile oil content variation — wet year produces lower oil content, reducing grade premiums
- •Indian Commodity Exchange (ICEX) futures — cardamom is exchange-traded in India; futures sentiment drives spot prices
India vs Guatemala: Green Cardamom Comparison
Guatemala produces ~60% of global cardamom volume, making it the world's largest producer. Indian cardamom commands a 20–40% price premium due to higher volatile oil content and the cultural premium placed on 'Malabar Cardamom' in the GCC market.
| Aspect | 🇮🇳 India | 🌏 Guatemala |
|---|---|---|
| Volatile Oil Content | 8–10% — significantly higher, richer aroma | 5–7% — lower oil content, milder flavour |
| FOB Price | $9,000–$18,000/MT — consistent premium | $6,000–$12,000/MT — volume-competitive |
| Aroma Profile | Sweet-spicy, camphoraceous, floral — complex profile | Milder, less complex — eucalyptus-forward |
| Market Position | GCC luxury chai, premium culinary, pharmaceutical | Volume food processing, price-sensitive retail markets |
| Certification | Spices Board of India, ISO, EU MRL tested | Less institutional certification infrastructure |
| Organic | EU Organic from NPOP-certified Kerala farms | Organic available but less verified traceability |
Applications & End-Use Markets
☕
GCC Chai & Beverage Industry
Green cardamom is culturally inseparable from Saudi Qahwa (Arabic coffee) and Karak chai across the GCC. The UAE and Saudi Arabia together account for 40,000+ MT of cardamom consumption annually — predominantly Bold and Extra Bold Indian grades.
UAESaudi ArabiaKuwaitQatarBahrain
🧁
Baking & Confectionery
Cardamom is essential in Scandinavian baking (cardamom buns, Danish pastries), Middle Eastern sweets (baklava, halwa), and Indian mithai. European bakery manufacturers use ground cardamom from Medium grade for consistent flavour profiles.
SwedenDenmarkGermanyUKUAE
🌸
Perfumery & Fragrance
Cardamom essential oil is a valued middle note in luxury fragrances. High volatile oil content Indian cardamom is the preferred raw material for essential oil distillation supplying major fragrance houses in France and the UAE.
FranceUAEUSAGermanyUK
💊
Pharmaceutical & Nutraceutical
Cardamom extract is used in digestive health supplements, anti-nausea formulations, and Ayurvedic medicine preparations. Growing clinical interest in cardamom's anti-inflammatory and blood pressure modulating properties.
USAGermanyIndiaJapanSouth Korea
Global Trade Architecture
Primary Supply Origins
Guatemala
~60% of global productionAlta Verapaz region. Volume leader but lower quality profile than Indian origin.
India
~30%Idukki district, Kerala. World's highest volatile oil content. Premium pricing and Spices Board certification.
Sri Lanka / Tanzania
~10%Smaller origins. Variable quality. Mostly domestic market supply.
Key Consumption Nodes
Middle East — Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait
World's largest cardamom import bloc. Arabic coffee and chai culture drives year-round demand with massive Ramadan seasonal spike. Extra Bold Indian grade preferred.
European Union — Germany, Sweden, UK
Scandinavian baking tradition and growing Middle Eastern diaspora. Bold grade for retail, medium grade for industrial bakery.
USA
Growing Middle Eastern diaspora and chai culture. Premium retail and spice blending segment active.
India domestic
India is also its own largest cardamom consumer. Domestic consumption of 20,000+ MT annually before export.
Market Intelligence
Green cardamom is among the world's most price-volatile commodity spices — prices can double or halve within a single season depending on Gujarat monsoon performance and GCC buying patterns. Indian cardamom's quality premium over Guatemala has been consistent for 30 years, despite Guatemala's volume dominance.
Market Size
Global cardamom trade: ~$2.5 billion. India exports: ~$200–250M annually.
Growth Rate
~7% CAGR — Middle East population growth and chai culture globalisation
Core Demand Drivers
- GCC population growth and chai culture deepening — cardamom consumption scales directly with Gulf population
- Ramadan demand surge — annual cyclical spike as GCC buyers front-load chai ingredient procurement
- Cardamom tea globalisation — Starbucks, Costa, and independent chai brands driving western consumption
- Essential oil and fragrance industry growth — luxury perfumery demand for high-oil Indian cardamom
- Pharmaceutical interest — digestive health and anti-inflammatory properties attracting supplement formulation interest
Supply Dynamics
Kerala's Idukki district faces structural challenges — aging cardamom plants (average 25+ years old), labour shortages for hand-picking, and climate variability. These supply constraints support price floors even in high-yield years. ICEX cardamom futures allow price discovery and hedging for large buyers.
⚠ India Risk Factor
Heavy rainfall during pod formation (August-September) causes cardamom rot and reduces yield dramatically. Mealybug infestation has periodically devastated Kerala crops. Succession of adverse monsoon years could structurally reduce Indian production further, benefiting Guatemala.
Future Outlook
Indian cardamom's long-term strategy must be quality differentiation over volume competition with Guatemala. Organic certification, Geographical Indication for Idukki cardamom, and standardised volatile oil content testing are the tools to maintain the quality premium. Cardamom essential oil for high-growth fragrance and pharmaceutical applications is the value-added frontier.
HS / HSN Codes
| Product Type | HS 6-Digit | ITC-HS 8-Digit | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Cardamom (Whole Pods) | 0908.31 | 09083110 | Cardamoms, neither crushed nor ground |
| Cardamom Powder/Ground | 0908.32 | 09083210 | Cardamoms, crushed or ground |
| Cardamom Seeds (Decorticated) | 0908.31 | 09083190 | Cardamom seeds extracted from pods |
Certifications & Compliance Standards
| Standard | Code / Reference | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Spices Board of India | SB Certificate | Mandatory for all cardamom exports |
| ISO 882:2014 | ISO 882 | International specification for cardamom |
| EU MRL | Regulation EC 396/2005 | Pesticide residue limits — chlorpyrifos and bifenthrin tested |
| EU Organic | EC 834/2007 | NPOP certified organic cardamom available from Idukki |
Storage, Handling & Logistics
Shelf Life
24 months whole pods; 12 months ground
Storage Conditions
Cool, dark environment below 15°C and 65% RH. Pods in airtight containers to preserve volatile oil. Avoid light exposure — chlorophyll degradation turns pods yellow.
Container Type
25 kg Jute or PP bags in 20ft FCL. Vacuum packing in aluminium foil bags for premium Extra Bold grade.
Fumigation
Sulphuryl fluoride (Vikane) or Phosphine fumigation available. EU buyers often prefer heat treatment to preserve natural aroma compounds.
Storage Advantage
Whole pods preserve essential oil far longer than ground — buyers receive pods and grind at destination for maximum fresh-ground aroma
Why Source Green Cardamom from India?
- World's highest volatile oil content (8–10%) — Indian Malabar cardamom delivers 40–60% more essential oil than Guatemalan equivalents
- Spices Board of India certification — mandatory quality oversight and origin verification on all exports
- GCC buyer preference for 'Malabar Cardamom' — cultural and quality-based preference commands market premium
- Organic certification available — NPOP and EU Organic from NABL-tested Idukki farms
- ISO grade compliance — Bold and Extra Bold grades sorted to precise size specifications with dimensional certificates
- ICEX forward contracts — buyers can lock in prices before harvest season to manage extreme volatility
Industrial Usage
Essential raw materials for spice blends, seasoning manufacturing, and oleoresin extraction. High-purity technical grades available for industrial procurement and technical application.
Standard
Technical Grade
Supply
Bulk Only
Packaging & Logistics
Standard Packaging
Steam Sterilized Laminated Bags / Cartons
Private Label / OEM
Custom Grinding & Private Labeling
Port of Loading
Chennai or Nhava Sheva Port
Incoterms
FOB, CIF, CFR accepted
Global Export Reach for Green Cardamom
IndianXporter successfully exports Green Cardamom to major international markets. Click your region below to view destination-specific compliance and shipping details.
Industrial Application Verticals
B2B Solutions
Private Label Green Cardamom
Establish your own brand in the international market. We provide end-to-end custom white-label packaging and branding solutions for retail distribution. Get retail-ready Green Cardamom under your brand name with our expert OEM services.
- Custom pouch, jar & bulk bag design
- Multi-lingual labeling & regulatory compliance
- FSSAI, ISO & FDA certified facilities
- Flexible packaging sizes (100g to 50kg)
Retail Ready
From Design to Delivery
Export Markets
USA UAE Europe South East Asia
We provide market-specific compliance documentation for each destination. Contact us for country-specific certifications.
Importing Green Cardamom: B2B FAQs
What is the lead time for a bulk order of Green Cardamom?
Our standard lead time for Green Cardamom is 7-14 business days from order confirmation to dispatch from an Indian port. For private label orders, allow an additional 5 days for packaging customization.
Can I request a sample of Green Cardamom before placing a full container order?
Yes, we provide 100g to 500g samples of Green Cardamom for quality validation. Sample costs are usually free, with the buyer covering international courier charges (DHL/FedEx).
Which Incoterms do you offer for Green Cardamom?
We primarily quote on FOB (Nhava Sheva/Mundra) or CIF (Destination Port) basis. We can also provide CFR and door-to-door DDP pricing for specific regions upon request.
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for Green Cardamom?
Our standard MOQ for Green Cardamom is 100 kg. However, we can accommodate smaller trial orders or mixed container shipments (LCL) for new B2B partners seeking to evaluate our quality.
Do you provide samples and laboratory reports for Green Cardamom?
Yes, we provide pre-shipment samples and comprehensive laboratory testing reports (including pesticide residues, heavy metals, and purity analysis) for Green Cardamom to ensure full compliance with your destination country's regulations.
What are the export logistics and lead times for bulk orders?
We primarily ship through Nhava Sheva (Mumbai) and Mundra ports using FOB, CIF, or CFR terms. Standard lead time for Green Cardamom is 15-25 business days from the receipt of the Advance Payment or confirmed L/C.
Related
More Spices Products
View all →
XP-0010 Spices
Bay Leaf
Top-grade Bay Leaf with rich aroma and intense flavor, processed under hygienic conditions for global export.
FSSAIISO 22000APEDA
Min. Order
500 Kg
XP-0178 Spices
Black Pepper
Premium bold Black Pepper sourced from South India, dried and graded for superior flavor and international export.
Spices Board IndiaFSSAIISO 22000
Min. Order
500 kg
Export Green Cardamom Worldwide
Country-specific compliance, ports and CIF pricing for bulk green cardamom shipments.
Green Cardamom export to USA Green Cardamom export to UK Green Cardamom export to Germany Green Cardamom export to UAE Green Cardamom export to Saudi Arabia Green Cardamom export to Australia Green Cardamom export to Canada Green Cardamom export to Singapore Green Cardamom export to France Green Cardamom export to Japan
Industrial Applications of Green Cardamom
Industry-grade green cardamom supply with technical COA and specifications.