Black Cardamom Exports in Six Months Nearly Match Last Fiscal Year’s Total

Nepal’s black (large) cardamom exports in the first six months of the current fiscal year have nearly equalled the total exports recorded in the previous fiscal year, driven by higher prices and increased shipment volumes.

Data from the Trade and Export Promotion Centre (TEPC) and the Department of Customs show that Nepal exported black cardamom worth Rs 7.19 billion during the first half of the current fiscal year (2025/26), up from Rs 4.56 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year. This represents a 57.66 percent increase year-on-year.

In the entire previous fiscal year 2024/25, Nepal’s cardamom exports stood at Rs 7.68 billion, indicating that exports in just six months have already reached close to last year’s full-year total.

Export volumes have also risen significantly. Nepal exported 3,461 tonnes of black cardamom in the first six months of the current fiscal year, compared to 2,674 tonnes in the same period last year. Black cardamom ranked 13th among the highest exported item from Nepal during the review period.

Black cardamom is one of Nepal’s highest-value cash crops. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Nepal ranked as the fourth-largest cardamom exporter globally in 2023, after Guatemala, India and the United Arab Emirates. Indonesia also features among major exporting countries.

Although black cardamom exports have been rising steadily in recent years, growth in the first half of the current fiscal year has been particularly strong due to favourable prices.

Nirmal Bhattarai, president of the Cardamom Exporters Federation Nepal, said higher prices encouraged farmers and traders to export immediately rather than hold stocks.

“Prices increased from the early months of the fiscal year, allowing farmers to receive good returns,” Bhattarai said. “As exporters and producers got better prices, they did not hold back supplies, which pushed up export volumes.”

Black cardamom currently sells at Rs 95,000 to Rs 100,000 per man (40 kg), according to the federation. The crop has been identified as a priority export item under the Nepal Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS). Around 125,000 households across the country are involved in cardamom farming.

Nepali cardamom received Halal certification in 2021, opening access to Muslim-majority markets in the Gulf. While exports were previously concentrated in India and Pakistan, Nepali cardamom is now also shipped to Qatar and other Gulf countries.

Demand for large cardamom has been rising in West Asia and the Gulf countries in recent years, particularly for use in biryani and other meat-based dishes. According to FAO reports, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, China, India and Bangladesh are among the major importing countries.

With both demand and prices rising over the past four years, farmers have expanded cultivation areas. The federation estimates that large cardamom is currently cultivated on around 18,000 hectares, with more than a quarter of this area newly planted. Production from these new plantations is expected to begin within a year.

Major cardamom-producing districts include Ilam, Panchthar, Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Terhathum, Bhojpur and Dhankuta. Cultivation has also expanded into Bagamati and Gandaki provinces, while studies suggest strong potential for expansion in western Nepal.

A 22-month study conducted by King’s College Nepal with FAO support found significant potential for cardamom cultivation in districts of Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, including Kaski, Lamjung, Syangja, Baglung and Gulmi. The study also noted that large cardamom is used in more than 52 products, ranging from spices and medicines to soaps, shampoos, perfumes, candles and cosmetic items.