Dried Green Cardamom | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
As the war in West Asia intensifies, cardamom prices are falling, with the average price falling by ₹150 per kg over six days. The UAE and the wider Gulf region remain the primary export destinations for Kerala cardamom.
On 27 February, the Puttady auction saw an average price of ₹2,419 per kg. However, on Wednesday (March 4), the average price fell to ₹ 2,243 in the morning auction.
Spices Board chairperson Sangeetha Vishwanathan told The Hindu that the board is monitoring the situation closely. “The sudden drop in prices is a direct impact of the war that we are feeling in all sectors,” she said. “Gulf countries are the main export destination for Indian cardamom and we hope the situation will not last long.”
Holi
Ms Vishwanathan added that while the crisis is worrying, no order cancellations have been reported so far. “Due to Holi celebrations in North India, domestic demand remains positive. We expect the current crisis to end soon,” she said.
Santhosh Joseph, a cardamom exporter, highlighted the logistical concerns faced by the industry. “The exported cardamom is yet to reach the Persian Gulf; many parcels are currently stuck in ports or on ships,” Mr Joseph said. “Normally, north Indian sellers start buying actively for export after the Holi celebrations. However, there is some uncertainty given the current situation.”
Stany Pothen, chairman of the Cardamom Growers Federation, noted that the timing of the conflict is particularly difficult for growers. “Usually every year at the end of the harvest season in March, the price of cardamom shows a positive price trend. This sudden war situation has dashed the hopes of many farmers who were expecting a strong finish.”
Despite international volatility, Mr. Pothen remains optimistic about local consumption. “We have a strong domestic market. The use of cardamom in the country remains high and continues to grow daily. We expect the current crisis to be resolved soon.”
Published – March 4, 2026 8:43 PM IST
