Nutmeg, mace and cardamoms market in Nepal

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the domestic market for nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms in Nepal expanded from 2 313 t to 3 068 t in volume, with its value rising from 18.8 million USD to 24.9 million USD. This growth was driven by robust consumer demand within the country, where consumption had previously shown an annual growth rate of 26.5%, and by increasing exports. Nepal solidified its role as the fourth-largest global producer, exporting about 44% of its output to meet rising demand in Asia and the Middle East, where these spices are key ingredients in traditional cuisine and pharmaceutical applications.

After peaking in 2020, the domestic market volume contracted to 1 463 t (10 million USD) by 2023, even as national production increased to 8 674 t. The decline in local availability was primarily due to a surge in exports, which reached 8 804 t in 2023, redirecting a larger share of production abroad. Production in 2023 grew by 3.89%, adding to total supply, but the concurrent expansion in overseas shipments limited the volume remaining for the Nepalese market.

Nepal maintained its position as a significant global producer, accounting for approximately 5.15% of world output in 2023. The market remains influenced by international demand trends, particularly from Asian and Middle Eastern countries, where culinary and industrial use continues to support trade flows.

Production nutmeg, mace and cardamoms in Nepal

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Nepal ranked fourth globally in the production of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms.

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

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

Nepal's production of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 9 545 tonnes, a 20.0% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 46.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Nepal's production value of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 64 430 thousand US dollars, up 12.6% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 6.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 54 964 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 9.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Nepal in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports nutmeg, mace and cardamoms from Nepal

Exports in kind, t

Nepal's exports of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 6 919 tonnes, a 12.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 47.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nepal's exports in volume were heavily concentrated, with India accounting for 99.4% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Nepal's export value of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 46 707 thousand US dollars, a 5.2% rise from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 7.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.4%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 37 816 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 13.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 17.5% jump.

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

During 2017-2020, Nepal's export value was highly concentrated, with India alone making up 99.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports nutmeg, mace and cardamoms to Nepal

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed volatility from 2017 to 2020. The lowest point was in 2018 at 176 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 90.5%. The highest point was in 2017, with a 10.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Nepal imported 442 tonnes, a 17.9% decrease from 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 206.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala was the dominant supplier of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms to Nepal, accounting for 85.7% of total imports in volume, while other countries shared the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values exhibited volatility over the observed period. The lowest value was in 2018 at 1 629 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 87.7%. The highest value was in 2017, with an 8.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 7 218 thousand US dollars, a gradual increase of 6.4% year-over-year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 316.6% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Guatemala was the primary source for Nepal's imports in value terms, accounting for 89.8% of total flows, with other markets forming a long tail of smaller partners.

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

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