Market research

Nutmeg, mace and cardamoms market in Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Africa" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Libya

Morocco

Sudan

Western Sahara

Tunisia

Egypt

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the African market for nutmeg, mace and cardamoms experienced strong growth, with total volume expanding from 4 501 t to 7 735 t. This surge was primarily driven by rising domestic demand, fueled by increasing disposable incomes and the expansion of the food industry across the continent. Additionally, the expansion of harvested area supported local production, which remained stable at around 1 180 t per year, while imports rose sharply to meet the growing consumption.

After peaking at 7 735 t in 2021, the market volume fell to 6 722 t in 2022, as import levels declined from their record high. This adjustment coincided with global supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected trade flows. In 2023, the market partially recovered to 6 969 t, with local production holding steady. By 2024, consumption had decreased to 5 500 t, highlighting the market's ongoing reliance on imports to cover domestic needs.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2018-2023, t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production nutmeg, mace and cardamoms in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of nutmeg, mace and cardamoms, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of nutmeg, mace and cardamoms, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

After two years of growth, Africa's production of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms declined. In 2020, the continent produced 1 163 tonnes, marking a slight year-on-year decrease of 1.3%. Production had peaked in 2019 at 1 178 tonnes, following the largest annual increase of 1.8% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.8%	1.2%	(1.3%)	0.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports nutmeg, mace and cardamoms from Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 44 tonnes, with the largest decline of 55.2% that year. Exports then surged by 282.9% in 2019, reaching their highest point in 2020 at 335 tonnes—a 100.9% increase from the previous year and 7.7 times the 2018 low.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(55.2%)	282.9%	100.9%	51.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Africa's exports in kind were distributed across a diverse range of partners. The United Kingdom accounted for 14.3% of exports, Australia for 9.3%, and India for 8.1%, together making up 31.6% of total flows. The remaining 68.4% was spread among numerous smaller markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Africa's exports of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms in value terms grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 491 thousand US dollars, a 64.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports rose by 264.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 53.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	50.2%	48.1%	64.0%	53.9%

Source: SHEV.io

The partner structure for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 remained fragmented. The United Kingdom held 23.6% of exports, Qatar 9.5%, and India 9.4%, collectively accounting for 42.5% of total flows. No single country dominated the market.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports nutmeg, mace and cardamoms to Africa

Imports in kind, t

Africa's imports of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms in kind increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume reached 4 382 tonnes, up 20.3% from 2019. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 3 381 tonnes, with a 6.8% decline that year. Overall, imports grew by 20.7% between 2017 and 2020, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(6.8%)	7.7%	20.3%	6.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the primary suppliers of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms to Africa in kind were Guatemala, with 39.5% of imports, India at 16.0%, and the United Arab Emirates at 15.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 70.8% of total imports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Africa's imports of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms in value terms rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 61 251 thousand US dollars, a sharp 71.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 154.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 36.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	19.3%	24.8%	71.2%	36.6%

Source: SHEV.io

In the 2017–2020 period, the leading sources for Africa's imports in value terms were Guatemala, with 67.9% of imports, Indonesia at 9.6%, and India at 9.0%. These three countries together accounted for 86.5% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io