Nutmeg, mace and cardamoms market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market size for nutmeg, mace and cardamoms in South-eastern Asia contracted consistently from 369 million dollars in 2018 to 76.5 million dollars in 2023. This decline was accompanied by strong export performance, particularly from Indonesia, where exports reached a peak in 2022. The redirection of production toward international markets reduced the volume available for domestic consumption, leading to a smaller internal market.

Production dynamics in the region shifted, with Indonesia's harvested area showing a long-term increase but experiencing fluctuations in 2022. In 2023, Malaysia's output fell sharply by 43.59%, impacting regional supply. Indonesia maintained its position as the global production leader with a 30.98% share, but overall production in South-eastern Asia did not keep pace with the growing export demand.

Global factors such as supply-chain disruptions in 2020 and increased consumption in India and other Asian countries supported external demand for South-eastern Asian spices. This sustained export orientation, coupled with internal production variability, contributed to the continued reduction in the regional market size over the period.

Production nutmeg, mace and cardamoms in South-eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

Production of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms in South-eastern Asia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 46 252 tonnes, marking a 4.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 16.1%, averaging 5.1% annually. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 51 450 tonnes, which saw a significant 29.2% increase. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms production in South-eastern Asia reached 427.0 million US dollars, up 5.6% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 24.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.6%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 500.5 million US dollars, reflecting a 46.2% increase. However, 2019 saw the largest drop of 19.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports nutmeg, mace and cardamoms from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Exports of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms from South-eastern Asia grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume totaled 30 573 tonnes, a 20.0% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 69.8%, averaging 19.3% per year. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 17 454 tonnes, which declined by 3.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising 45.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms in kind was highly diversified. China accounted for 19.6% of exports, India for 6.6%, and the Netherlands for 5.9%, together making up just 32.0% of total flows. The remaining 68.0% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms from South-eastern Asia increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 282.3 million US dollars, up 32.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 82.3%, with an average annual rate of 22.2%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a diverse range of trading partners. China represented 17.4% of exports, India 13.3%, and the Netherlands 9.4%, collectively accounting for only 40.1% of total flows. The remaining 59.9% was spread across many smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports nutmeg, mace and cardamoms to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, South-eastern Asia imported 4 096 tonnes of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms, a 51.4% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 26.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.1%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 2 706 tonnes, which declined by 22.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Data from 2017 to 2020 indicate that imports in kind of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms to South-eastern Asia were not heavily concentrated. Guatemala accounted for 31.6% of imports, India for 6.5%, and China for 2.0%, together making up only 40.1% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms into South-eastern Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 58.6 million US dollars, reflecting an 18.1% rise from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 62.7%, averaging 17.6% per year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala was the leading destination for imports in value terms, accounting for 45.6%, followed by India at 7.6% and China at 1.2%. Together, these three countries represented 54.4% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020