Nepal is The Global Leader in Cardamom Production

Rojina Rai/Ganesh Bista

Cardamom is one of the major exports of Nepal for long, but the fluctuating market price has always kept the farmers at bay.

The recent price hike has encouraged farmers in Bhojpur, eastern Nepal, to expand their small-scale cardamom cultivation to professional level.

This year, cardamom price directly from the farm reached up to 2,500 Rs per kg, encouraging more farmers to expand production.

Nepal is the global leader in the production of large cardamom, also known as black cardamom, contributing more than 50% almost around 68% of the global sales.

The country is a major exporter, primarily to India, which re-exports the spice to international markets.

Despite challenges such as price volatility and plant diseases, the sector remains highly profitable and contributes significantly to Nepal’s foreign exchange earnings.

With black cardamom continuing to command strong market price, farmers in Bhojpur district of eastern Nepal have grown increasingly optimistic.

Black cardamom cultivation is deeply rooted in the cultural heritage and economy of eastern Nepal.

Consistent price increase in recent years has encouraged many farmers to invest more in cardamom cultivation.

Harvested cardamom is now commonly sold directly from farmers’ doorstep, helping reduce transportation and marketing costs.

Local farmers say rising prices and improved market demand have motivated them to return to cardamom farming and expand their orchards.

In Bhojpur district, large cardamom is cultivated across approximately 597 hectares.

Popular local varieties such as Ramsahi, Golsahi, Dambarsahi, and Jirmale are widely grown in the area.

Often referred to as the “black gold of the hills” due to its high value, it has been an integral part of farmers in the region for more than 150 years.
In the last few years, the price of cardamom has risen by almost 400%.

Nepal primarily exports large cardamom to India, which serves as a major re-export hub to the Middle East (including the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia), Europe (such as Germany and Italy), as well as the United States, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.