Crop failure in Guatemala boosts India’s Cardamom exports

A major crop failure in Guatemala has provided a significant boost to Kerala’s cardamom sector, as exports of the crop from India has nearly doubled in 2025. The State is the major producer of the spice in India.

According to data from the Spices Board of India, 6,827 tonnes of cardamom were exported between April and October 2025, a sharp rise from the 3,663 tonnes exported during the same period in 2024.

Spices Board Chairperson Sangeetha Vishwanathan told The Hindu that the exports are expected to climb further.

“The failure of the large cardamom crop in Guatemala is the primary reason for the surge in Indian exports. Local production has also increased this year,” Ms. Vishwanathan said. “The Gulf remains our primary market, and the rising volume of exports has greatly benefited the domestic sector. Diversification has also helped us capture more market share. Final production data will be available only after the crop season ends,” said Ms. Vishwanathan.

Rise after a dip

According to sources, Kerala produced 18,310 metric tonnes of cardamom in 2024-25, down from 22,869 metric tonnes in 2023-24.

“A severe drought in 2024 caused the production dip in the 2024-25 season. However, the expected production for 2025-26 is approximately 22,000 metric tonnes. Actual figures will be confirmed after March 2026,” said the source.

S.B. Prabhakar, a cardamom planter in Pampadumpara, Idukki, noted that while Guatemala’s production is expected to be around 17,000 tonnes this season (up from 14,000 tonnes last year), it remains far below the historical average.

“In normal years, Guatemala produces between 40,000 and 50,000 tonnes. As replanting was stalled due to last year’s drought, their production next year will likely hover around 22,000 tonnes,” Mr. Prabhakar said. “This low yield in Guatemala will continue to benefit the Indian cardamom sector for the next few years.” Mr. Prabhakar added.

Stany Pothen, chairman of the Cardamom Planters Federation, also concurred and said the current market strength is due to the situation in Central America. Mr. Pothen had visited the Alta Verapaz region in north-central Guatemala and witnessed the damage to crops firsthand.

“Due to the El Niño effect, nearly 60% of cardamom plantations in Guatemala were damaged. Most farmers there grow cardamom for a livelihood rather than using advanced commercial farming systems. Out of approximately three lakh acres of cultivation, most were affected. This failure has cleared the way for Indian cardamom,” said Mr. Pothen.

At the start of the season in July, exporters anticipated prices for cardamom to be around ₹1,800 per kg. However, the market has remained consistently strong, with average prices ranging between ₹2,300 and ₹2,600 per kg. “Favourable weather this season has helped increase the yield. While the crop season usually ends in February, the current climate may extend the harvest by another one to two months.” said the source.