Cardamom
Green 8mm bold & black cardamom by capsule size
CBIL supplies green cardamom (elaichi) from the Idukki and Kerala hills and Guatemalan origin, graded the way the trade prices it — by capsule size in millimetres. AGEB and 8mm bold green capsules command the top of the market for retail, gifting and premium HORECA where appearance drives the sale; 7mm and 6mm grades serve grinding, blending and extraction where the capsule is not seen. Volatile oil, typically 4–8%, is the aroma marker and the specification extraction buyers contract against. We also supply black cardamom (badi elaichi) for the smoke-cured, savoury applications it suits.
Cardamom is a high-value, pesticide-sensitive commodity, and residue failures are the most common reason cargoes are rejected at EU and Japanese ports — so every lot ships against SGS or Intertek certification of volatile oil, moisture, capsule size, colour and a full pesticide-residue panel written to your destination's MRLs. Buyers include retail packers, spice grinders, HORECA distributors, confectionery and beverage manufacturers and oleoresin extractors. Supply is arranged in lined cartons and vacuum packs, container-load, on FOB, CFR and CIF terms.
Indicative reference
$14,000–28,000 USD / MT
as at September 2026
Reference level only — not an offer, and reviewed quarterly. Levels shown are as at September 2026. Firm pricing is quoted per RFQ, subject to volume, terms and inspection.
Typical Specification
Specifications are indicative and adjusted to the agreed contract and destination requirements. Final spec confirmed on COA / SGS.
Available Grades
Applications
- Retail packing & gifting
- Spice grinding & blending
- Confectionery & beverage
- Oleoresin extraction
- HORECA
Category
Agri-Foods, Spices & Nuts
Incoterms
FOB · CFR · CIF
Pricing basis
USD / MT
Inspection
SGS / Intertek at load port
Cardamom — buyer questions
How is green cardamom graded?
Primarily by capsule size in millimetres. 8mm bold and AGEB are the top grades and price well above 7mm and 6mm material. If the capsule is visible to your end customer, size is worth paying for; if you are grinding or extracting, smaller grades deliver the same volatile oil at materially lower cost.
Why do cardamom shipments get rejected at EU ports?
Pesticide residue, almost always. Cardamom is intensively sprayed and EU and Japanese MRLs are strict. We source from pre-screened lots and certify a full residue panel against your destination's MRLs before shipment rather than testing on arrival, because a failed cargo at this price point is an expensive problem.
What is the difference between green and black cardamom?
They are different species with different uses. Green cardamom is the sweet, aromatic capsule used in confectionery, beverage and dessert applications. Black cardamom is smoke-cured, much larger and distinctly savoury — it is not a substitute for green in sweet applications.
Ready to source Cardamom?
Send your quantity, specification, preferred Incoterms and destination port. We'll verify supply and respond with a workable offer — usually within one business day.
Have Cardamom to sell? Submit an offer — we'll match it against live buyer demand.
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Green Cardamom
8mm AGEB bold — graded on size & colour
Black Cardamom (Badi Elaichi)
Fire-dried, smoky — a different species entirely