Cloves market in Indonesia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Indonesia's cloves market saw shifts in production and consumption. Production started at 131 thousand tons in 2018, with market volume at 124.2 thousand tons. Prices remained below farmers' production costs, affecting margins. In 2019, production increased to 140.8 thousand tons, but market volume declined to 118.7 thousand tons. The following year, the COVID-19 pandemic combined with a bumper harvest led to a significant price drop and reduced market volume to 100.8 thousand tons, as both domestic and export demand weakened.

The market rebounded strongly in 2021. Limited supply following the previous year's downturn and high domestic demand, particularly from the kretek cigarette industry which consumes 80-90% of national output, pushed prices sharply higher. Market volume recovered to 125.6 thousand tons. In 2022, persistent supply constraints and increased imports to meet domestic needs drove market volume further up to 152.8 thousand tons, while the market value surged to $987.0 million due to elevated prices.

In 2023, market volume eased slightly to 143.4 thousand tons, but the market value continued climbing to $1,070.6 million, reflecting sustained high price levels. Trade flows remained volatile, with export volumes reaching 52.0 thousand tons in 2024 before moderating in 2025.

Production cloves in Indonesia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Indonesia maintained its position as the world's leading producer of cloves by volume.

Top producers of cloves, 2018-2021

World map of production of cloves, 2018-2021

Clove production in Indonesia declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2021, the country produced 135.8 thousand tonnes, a modest decrease of 7.0% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production increased by 3.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 146.0 thousand tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019 at 7.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following two years of decline, Indonesia's clove production value rebounded. In 2021, output was valued at 647.5 million US dollars, representing a 20.0% increase compared to 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 539.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 10.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Indonesia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports cloves from Indonesia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes fluctuated significantly, with a 2.4-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2021. In 2021, clove exports from Indonesia stood at 20 139 tonnes, marking a sharp drop of 57.8% from 2020. The highest volume was recorded in 2020 at 47 765 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 83.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, India, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates were the largest contributors to Indonesia's clove exports by volume. India accounted for 29.4% of exports, Vietnam for 15.1%, and the UAE for 6.8%, together representing 51.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of clove exports from Indonesia declined. In 2021, exports totaled 96.1 million US dollars, a reduction of 45.6% year-on-year. From 2018 to 2021, export value decreased by 5.6%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 1.9%. The peak was recorded in 2020 at 176.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 58.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Indonesia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During 2018-2021, Indonesia's clove exports were distributed across many markets. Even the top three destinations—India, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia—collectively accounted for only 46.4% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Indonesia in value, 2018-2021

Imports cloves to Indonesia

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 5.2-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Indonesia imported 10 017 tonnes of cloves, showing a dramatic increase of 289.0% compared to 2020. The minimum volume was recorded in 2020 at 2 575 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 71.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Madagascar and Tanzania were the core sources for Indonesia's clove imports by volume, jointly accounting for 90.5% of total flows, with other destinations holding relatively modest shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Import value reached its highest point in 2018 and its lowest in 2020, reflecting an 8.6-fold gap. In 2021, Indonesia's clove imports totaled 77.5 million US dollars, amounting to a sharp increase of 527.6% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 12.3 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 76.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Indonesia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, Madagascar and Tanzania remained the primary suppliers of cloves to Indonesia, with a combined share of 89.5% of total import value, while other countries accounted for the remainder.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Indonesia in value, 2018-2021