India’s Small Cardamom (Chhoti Elaichi) Exports

About India’s Small Cardamom Export Data

IndiaGraphs presents India’s small cardamom (chhoti elaichi) exports through two indicators: quantity shipped in tonnes and export value in ₹ crore. Both are needed to assess the export trend. Higher receipts do not necessarily mean higher shipment volumes.

Small cardamom is a distinct spice category from large cardamom. Differences in quality, use and trading conditions mean that the two markets should be analysed separately.

Why Export Receipts and Shipments Differ

If the value of exports increases more rapidly than the quantity exported, the average realised export value per tonne has risen. If tonnage grows faster than value, the average unit value has declined. This provides a starting point for investigating trade performance.

Such movements can reflect changes in market prices, quality grades, destination mix or the share of processed products. Aggregate figures alone cannot identify which explanation dominates.

Estimating Average Export Unit Value

An indicative unit value is calculated by dividing total export value by export quantity for the same period. With value reported in ₹ crore and quantity in tonnes, multiply the value by 10,000,000 before dividing to express the result in rupees per tonne.

The resulting ratio is not equivalent to a domestic auction price or a farm-gate price. It is an average derived from recorded export totals and can shift when the mix of shipments changes.

What Influences Small Cardamom Exports?

Weather, production and crop quality can affect available supply. Domestic consumption, overseas demand, buyer standards, competing origins and logistics costs can influence how much is exported and at what value.

Because export receipts are measured in rupees, currency movements may also matter when comparing one period with another.

Small Cardamom vs Large Cardamom

The distinction between the two cardamom categories matters for interpreting trade data. A rise in large cardamom exports does not establish a similar trend for small cardamom, and differences in average unit values should not be treated as a like-for-like price comparison.

Explore the related large cardamom export series for a separate view.

Using the Small Cardamom Data

Use the value and quantity charts together to identify periods of expanding shipments, rising receipts or divergence between the two. Further conclusions about destinations, margins or farmer incomes require more detailed data.

Check the reporting period and units before combining this dataset with other agricultural trade statistics.