Indian Green Cardamom for Wholesale and Export

India is one of the major producers of small green cardamom, with cultivation concentrated in the Western Ghats — particularly the Idukki district of Kerala, and parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Much of India's cardamom is traded through e-auctions conducted under the Spices Board, so prices respond quickly to crop size and demand.

We source cardamom to your specification. Once the grade, colour and quantity are clear, we check availability with suitable suppliers and confirm what can be offered for your timeline. We do not promise a particular estate or origin unless it can be documented for your lot.

Cardamom is graded mainly by pod size — measured in millimetres using sieves — and by colour. Larger, uniformly green, plump pods generally command higher prices. Indian trade descriptions often refer to size grades such as 6 mm, 7 mm or 8 mm and above, and older designations such as "Alleppey Green Extra Bold" are still used in some markets.

Because grade names are not used identically by every trader, we always translate a grade name into measurable parameters — size, colour, litre weight and defects — in the quotation.

Cardamom's value lies in its aroma, which comes from volatile oils in the seeds. Pods that are well dried and properly stored keep their aroma longer; pods that are over-dried, damaged or stored in humid conditions lose it faster and may fade in colour.

If aroma strength matters for your application, discuss whether a volatile oil test is required and how samples will be evaluated. We do not quote volatile oil figures unless they are supported by a test report for the lot.

Whole green pods are the main format we handle. They protect the seeds and hold aroma best during transport and storage.

Other formats — such as cardamom seeds (decorticated) or ground cardamom — can be discussed on request. Their availability, processing standard and testing need to be confirmed with suppliers before we can include them in a quotation.

Cardamom is sensitive to moisture and light, so packing matters. Bulk cardamom is commonly packed in lined bags or cartons with an inner moisture-barrier layer. Bag weights, liners, cartons and labelling are agreed with the supplier for each order.

Private-label or consumer-pack requests are handled separately — see packaging and private-label options.

Importing markets set their own food-safety rules. Pesticide residue limits in particular vary by destination, and spices may be subject to border testing. Discuss with us:

• which residue limits or standards your market applies
• whether you need pre-shipment testing by an independent laboratory, and which laboratory
• moisture, foreign matter and microbiological parameters
• sampling arrangements and how the sample relates to the shipped lot

Testing is arranged through accredited third-party laboratories where agreed. We do not guarantee laboratory results before a test report exists. Read more about food-safety testing considerations.