Cloves market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the ASEAN cloves market saw its volume decline from 134.5 thousand tons to 109.5 thousand tons. Adverse weather conditions in key producing countries like Indonesia and Madagascar reduced harvests and tightened global supply, while growing consumer demand for natural and organic cloves and the emergence of new segments such as clove oil for medicinal use provided underlying demand support.

Market volume rebounded to 127.9 thousand tons in 2021 and peaked at 164.4 thousand tons in 2022, before easing to 149.6 thousand tons in 2023. This recovery and subsequent swing were driven by major companies launching novel clove formulations and expanding distribution channels, alongside health and wellness trends. In 2022, cyclones in Madagascar disrupted global supply, increasing reliance on ASEAN production, while Philip Morris International's expansion in Indonesia for kretek cigarettes boosted local consumption. Stricter EU pesticide residue limits enforced from December 2024 raised compliance costs for exporters. The 2023 dip followed delayed harvests in Indonesia and a sharp productivity drop in Madagascar, exacerbated by freight and logistics challenges.

Entering 2024, high demand for Indonesian clove oil created strong price pressures, and a new extraction plant set up by Indesso expanded production capacity. Environmental factors and ongoing EU regulatory requirements continued to shape market access and supply stability.

Production cloves in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cloves, 2017-2020

World map of production of cloves, 2017-2020

ASEAN's cloves production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 146.2 thousand tonnes of cloves, representing a 3.7% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 28.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports cloves from ASEAN

Exports in kind, t

ASEAN's cloves exports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 45 170 tonnes, marking a significant rise of 69.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 357.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 66.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, India, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan were the largest buyers of cloves from ASEAN, accounting for 22.8%, 5.2%, and 5.0% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented 33.1% of total exports, with the remaining share distributed among numerous smaller partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, ASEAN exported cloves worth 203.9 million US dollars, a 43.6% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 53.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 15.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 23.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, ASEAN's cloves exports in value terms were widely dispersed across partner countries. India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates accounted for 17.3%, 6.7%, and 5.0% of exports, respectively, totaling only 29.0% of the overall value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ASEAN in value, 2017-2020

Imports cloves to ASEAN

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 431 tonnes, while the highest was observed in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 3.8 times. In 2020, cloves deliveries to ASEAN totaled 8 470 tonnes, a strong gain of 14.0% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 72.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Comoros were the main suppliers of cloves to ASEAN, accounting for 63.9%, 13.4%, and 3.3% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, they comprised 80.7% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

ASEAN's cloves imports have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 46.5 million US dollars, corresponding to a moderate drop of 6.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 80%, with an average annual decline of 41.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, two countries—Madagascar and Tanzania—concentrated most of ASEAN's cloves imports in value terms, while other markets were individually less significant.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ASEAN in value, 2017-2020