Exports of Cardamom
Description
Cardamom of commerce is the dried ripe fruit (capsules of cardamom plant) often referred as the “Queen of Spices” because of its very pleasant aroma and taste. Cardamom is a perennial, herbaceous, rhizomatous plant.
Based on the nature of panicles, three varieties are recognized viz. Malabar with prostrate panicle, Mysore with erect panicle, and Vazhukka with semi erect panicle. Plants are of medium size (2 to 3 mtr height) with pubescent leaves (on the dorsal side) and fruits globose in the case of Malabar, whereas plant robust (3 to 4 mtr height) with leaves glabrous on both sides with ovoid capsules in the case of Mysore. Vazhukka variety is a mix of both the above in physical characteristics.
Indian cardamom is offered to the international markets in different grades: 'Alleppey Green Extra Bold' (AGEB), 'Alleppey Green Bold' (AGB) and 'Alleppey Green Superior' (AGS) are names that register instant appeal worldwide. Cardamom oil is a precious ingredient in food preparations, perfumery, health foods medicines and beverages. India, a traditional exporter of cardamom to the Middle East countries where it goes mostly into the preparation of 'Gahwa' - a strong cardamom - coffee concoction without which no day is complete or no hospitality hearty for an Arab. Indian cardamom enjoys a premium preference in the Middle East, Japanese and Russians who relish it for its distinct enriching properties.
Origin and Distribution
Cultivation of cardamom is mostly concentrated in the ever green forests of Western Ghats in South India. Besides India, cardamom is grown as a commercial crop in Guatemala and on small scale in Tanzania, Sri Lanka, El Salvador, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Honduras, and Papua & New Guinea. The optimum altitudinal range on growing cardamom is 600 to 1500 mtr. The cardamom growing regions of South India lies within 8 - 30 degree N latitudes and 75-78 degree longitudes.
Uses
The major use is for the preparation of ‘gahwa’ – a strong cardamom coffee concoction which is a symbol for hospitality among Arabs. Apart from this cardamom is widely used as a flavouring material in whole and ground form. In Asia, it can add a lingering sparkle to every kind of dishes both traditional and modern. In Scandinavian countries it is used in baked goods and confectionaries. In Europe and North America it is an ingredient in curry powder and in some sausages products.
Cardamom oil and has applications in flavouring processed foods, cordials, and liquors and in perfumery and in Ayurvedic medicines.
Cardamom (Small)
During 2008-09, India exported 750 MT of Cardamom Small valued Rs.47.27 crores as against 500 MT valued Rs.24.75 crores in 2007-08, registering an increase of 50% in volume and 91% in value. Saudi Arabia accounts for 520 MT (69%) of our exports followed by Malaysia (30MT), Japan (25 MT) and UAE (20 MT). Our exports mainly consist of high quality grades like
AGEB and AGB to Middle East markets especially to Saudi Arabia.
The production of Cardamom Small during 2008-09 was 11,000 MT; higher than last year’s production of 9450 MT. The better production and the low availability from Guatemala, the major competitor of Cardamom Small has resulted in the increase of our exports during 2008-09.
Cardamom (Large)
During the year India has exported 1875 MT valued Rs.22.81 crores as against 1325 MT
valued Rs.15.00 crores in 2007-08. Pakistan is the major buyer of Indian large cardamom
accounting for 1485 MT (79%) in 2008-09 followed by UAE (160 MT) and UK (90 MT). India and Nepal are the major producers of Cardamom (Large).
On an average we import about 5000 MT of cardamom (large) from Nepal to meet the strong domestic demand. During 2008-09, Indian production was 4450 MT; little less than last year’s production of 4900 MT.
Despite the global economic recession, spices export from India has continued its upward
trend and has crossed Rs.5000 crores mark for the first time during the year 2008-09. The export
during 2008-09 has been 470,520 tonnes valued Rs.5300.25 crores (US $1168.40 million)
against 444,250 tonnes valued
Rs.4435.50 crores (US $1101.80).
The spices export during 2008-09 has also exceeded the target in terms of volume, rupee
value and dollar terms of value. Against the export target of 4,25,000 tonnes valued Rs.4,350.00
crores (US$ 1025.00) for the year 2008-09, the achievement of 470,520 tonnes valued
Rs.5,300.25 crores (US$ 1168.40 million) is 111% in quantity, 122% in rupee value and 114% in
dollar terms of value.
Indian spices and
spice products reached more than135 countries in world. The leading among them are USA
(21%), Malaysia (7%), UAE (6%), China (6%) and UK (5%).
Description
Cardamom of commerce is the dried ripe fruit (capsules of cardamom plant) often referred as the “Queen of Spices” because of its very pleasant aroma and taste. Cardamom is a perennial, herbaceous, rhizomatous plant.
Based on the nature of panicles, three varieties are recognized viz. Malabar with prostrate panicle, Mysore with erect panicle, and Vazhukka with semi erect panicle. Plants are of medium size (2 to 3 mtr height) with pubescent leaves (on the dorsal side) and fruits globose in the case of Malabar, whereas plant robust (3 to 4 mtr height) with leaves glabrous on both sides with ovoid capsules in the case of Mysore. Vazhukka variety is a mix of both the above in physical characteristics.
Indian cardamom is offered to the international markets in different grades: 'Alleppey Green Extra Bold' (AGEB), 'Alleppey Green Bold' (AGB) and 'Alleppey Green Superior' (AGS) are names that register instant appeal worldwide. Cardamom oil is a precious ingredient in food preparations, perfumery, health foods medicines and beverages. India, a traditional exporter of cardamom to the Middle East countries where it goes mostly into the preparation of 'Gahwa' - a strong cardamom - coffee concoction without which no day is complete or no hospitality hearty for an Arab. Indian cardamom enjoys a premium preference in the Middle East, Japanese and Russians who relish it for its distinct enriching properties.
Origin and Distribution
Cultivation of cardamom is mostly concentrated in the ever green forests of Western Ghats in South India. Besides India, cardamom is grown as a commercial crop in Guatemala and on small scale in Tanzania, Sri Lanka, El Salvador, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Honduras, and Papua & New Guinea. The optimum altitudinal range on growing cardamom is 600 to 1500 mtr. The cardamom growing regions of South India lies within 8 - 30 degree N latitudes and 75-78 degree longitudes.
Uses
The major use is for the preparation of ‘gahwa’ – a strong cardamom coffee concoction which is a symbol for hospitality among Arabs. Apart from this cardamom is widely used as a flavouring material in whole and ground form. In Asia, it can add a lingering sparkle to every kind of dishes both traditional and modern. In Scandinavian countries it is used in baked goods and confectionaries. In Europe and North America it is an ingredient in curry powder and in some sausages products.
Cardamom oil and has applications in flavouring processed foods, cordials, and liquors and in perfumery and in Ayurvedic medicines.
Cardamom (Small)
During 2008-09, India exported 750 MT of Cardamom Small valued Rs.47.27 crores as against 500 MT valued Rs.24.75 crores in 2007-08, registering an increase of 50% in volume and 91% in value. Saudi Arabia accounts for 520 MT (69%) of our exports followed by Malaysia (30MT), Japan (25 MT) and UAE (20 MT). Our exports mainly consist of high quality grades like
AGEB and AGB to Middle East markets especially to Saudi Arabia.
The production of Cardamom Small during 2008-09 was 11,000 MT; higher than last year’s production of 9450 MT. The better production and the low availability from Guatemala, the major competitor of Cardamom Small has resulted in the increase of our exports during 2008-09.
Cardamom (Large)
During the year India has exported 1875 MT valued Rs.22.81 crores as against 1325 MT
valued Rs.15.00 crores in 2007-08. Pakistan is the major buyer of Indian large cardamom
accounting for 1485 MT (79%) in 2008-09 followed by UAE (160 MT) and UK (90 MT). India and Nepal are the major producers of Cardamom (Large).
On an average we import about 5000 MT of cardamom (large) from Nepal to meet the strong domestic demand. During 2008-09, Indian production was 4450 MT; little less than last year’s production of 4900 MT.
Despite the global economic recession, spices export from India has continued its upward
trend and has crossed Rs.5000 crores mark for the first time during the year 2008-09. The export
during 2008-09 has been 470,520 tonnes valued Rs.5300.25 crores (US $1168.40 million)
against 444,250 tonnes valued
Rs.4435.50 crores (US $1101.80).
The spices export during 2008-09 has also exceeded the target in terms of volume, rupee
value and dollar terms of value. Against the export target of 4,25,000 tonnes valued Rs.4,350.00
crores (US$ 1025.00) for the year 2008-09, the achievement of 470,520 tonnes valued
Rs.5,300.25 crores (US$ 1168.40 million) is 111% in quantity, 122% in rupee value and 114% in
dollar terms of value.
Indian spices and
spice products reached more than135 countries in world. The leading among them are USA
(21%), Malaysia (7%), UAE (6%), China (6%) and UK (5%).