Nepal's Large Cardamom Exports Projected to Reach New Record High

31-Mar-2026 01:30 PM

Biratnagar. Buoyed by rising prices, improved yields, and robust demand from India, exports of large (black) cardamom from Nepal are projected to surge to a new record level. Notably, India first imports large quantities of this cardamom from Nepal and subsequently re-exports a significant portion of it to other countries. An interesting fact is that approximately 60 percent of the large cardamom exported from India is destined for Pakistan, while the remainder is shipped to other nations.

Nepali cardamom is renowned for its smoky aroma, a characteristic resulting from the drying process it undergoes in kilns immediately after being harvested from the plants. During the first eight months of the current fiscal year, Nepal witnessed an impressive 62.5 percent increase in cardamom exports. According to trade analysts, exports for the entire duration of the current fiscal year are expected to rise rapidly, reaching a new record high of 11 billion rupees.

According to the Department of Customs, during the eight-month period ending in mid-March, Nepal exported 4,605 ​​tons of large cardamom valued at 9.49 billion rupees (in Nepali currency). In contrast, during the entire duration of the previous fiscal year, the country exported 4,301 tons of cardamom, generating revenue of 7.68 billion rupees.

According to market observers, the production of large cardamom in Nepal is on the rise, and prices remain elevated due to sustained strong demand from importing nations—including India. Compared to the previous year, the price of cardamom in Nepal during the current fiscal year has risen by 150–200 rupees, reaching a range of 2,000 to 2,600 rupees per kilogram. This trend is ensuring handsome returns for producers, who are now actively striving to further increase production levels.