Cardamom Business in India 2025 | Start, Profit & Export Guide

Q: Is cardamom business profitable in India?

Yes, the cardamom business is highly profitable in India due to strong domestic demand and high export value. Profit margins range between 20–40%, and premium profits can be earned in international markets.

Q: Do I need a license to start a cardamom business?

Yes, you need an FSSAI license, GST registration, and Spice Board registration if you plan to export. For international trade, an IEC (Import Export Code) is mandatory.

Q: Where can I buy cardamom in bulk for business?

You can buy directly from cardamom suppliers in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, or source from spice markets like Kochi and Coimbatore. Online B2B platforms also provide bulk suppliers.

Q: How can I market cardamom products?

You can market through wholesalers, supermarkets, e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, and by exporting to high-demand countries such as UAE, Saudi Arabia, USA, and Europe.

Q: Which packaging is best for cardamom?

For retail, use vacuum-sealed packs (50g, 100g, 250g, 1kg) to preserve aroma and flavor. For export, use moisture-proof, branded packaging that meets international standards.

Q: What are the risks in cardamom business?

Major risks include price fluctuations in the spice market, climate changes affecting supply, storage issues like loss of aroma or fungal attack, and competition from established spice exporters.

Q: What is the current price of cardamom in India?

The green cardamom price today varies between ₹1,500–₹2,500 per kg depending on quality, grade, and season. Export-quality cardamom fetches higher prices internationally.

What is Cardamom Business?, How to Start a Cardamom Business?, How to Select the Right Place?, Equipment / Things / Staff / Material & Cost, Licenses or Permits Required, Marketing Areas and Ideas, Packaging for Cardamom, Overall Investment in Cardamom Business, Profit in Cardamom Business, Risk Factors

What is Cardamom Business?

What is Cardamom Business?

Cardamom, also known as Elaichi or Green Cardamom, is one of the most expensive and aromatic spices in the world. India is a leading cardamom producer and exporter, especially from Kerala and Karnataka, with high demand in the Middle East, USA, and Europe. The spice is widely used in food, beverages, sweets, and herbal medicines. With rising prices and growing demand, many entrepreneurs are exploring how to start a cardamom business in India. Whether through farming, processing, or trading, cardamom offers strong profits, making it a lucrative option for those interested in the spice export business.

How to Start a Cardamom Business?

How to Start a Cardamom Business?

Research green cardamom market price today and study demand.
Decide your model: cardamom farming, bulk trading, or spice export business.
Prepare a business plan and arrange capital.
Connect with bulk cardamom suppliers in Kerala or cultivate your own farm.
Register your firm and apply for FSSAI license and Spice Board registration.
Focus on grading, cleaning, and packaging of cardamom pods.
Sell through wholesalers, supermarkets, and online spice business platforms like Amazon.

How to Select the Right Place?

How to Select the Right Place?

For farming: choose a tropical region with high humidity (Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu).
For trading/processing: select areas close to spice hubs like Coimbatore or Kochi.
Ensure easy access to transport, storage, and export facilities for cardamom.
A place near cardamom mandis and bulk spice markets helps in better supply and sales.

Equipment / Things / Staff / Material & Cost

Equipment / Things / Staff / Material & Cost

Cardamom drying units – ₹1–2 lakh
Cardamom grading and sorting machines – ₹50,000–1 lakh
Vacuum packaging machines – ₹80,000–1.5 lakh
Storage facilities (moisture-free) – ₹1–2 lakh
Raw cardamom pods purchase – ₹5–20 lakh (depending on scale)
Staff – Skilled workers for grading, cleaning & packaging (₹15,000–20,000/month each)
Marketing & branding – ₹50,000–1 lakh

Licenses or Permits Required

Licenses or Permits Required

FSSAI License (mandatory for spice business)
GST Registration
Spice Board of India Registration (for exporters)
Local Trade License from municipal authority
Import-Export Code (IEC) for international trade

Marketing Areas and Ideas

Marketing Areas and Ideas

Supply to wholesalers, supermarkets, and spice mandis.
Export to UAE, Saudi Arabia, USA, and Europe where cardamom demand is high.
Sell branded packs on Amazon, Flipkart, and e-commerce websites.
Collaborate with tea brands, sweet makers, and food companies.
Use digital marketing, SEO blogs, and social media ads with hashtags like #CardamomBusiness #GreenCardamom.

Packaging for Cardamom

Packaging for Cardamom

Use vacuum-sealed packs to maintain aroma and quality.
Branded small consumer packs (50g, 100g, 250g, 1kg) for supermarkets.
Export-level moisture-proof and eco-friendly packaging.
Attractive labels with green cardamom price, grade, and origin.

Overall Investment in Cardamom Business

Overall Investment in Cardamom Business

Small scale trading unit: ₹7–15 lakh
Medium scale spice processing unit: ₹20–40 lakh
Large scale export business: ₹50 lakh+

Profit in Cardamom Business

Profit in Cardamom Business

Profit margin in wholesale trading: 15–25%
Profit in branded cardamom packs: 25–40%
Export business can earn premium pricing with up to 50% higher profits due to global demand.
Example: If you invest ₹20 lakh in bulk purchase, you can easily generate ₹4–6 lakh profit depending on cardamom price fluctuations.

Risk Factors

Risk Factors

Price fluctuations in the spice market.
Climatic risks affecting cardamom farming and supply.
Poor storage can cause loss of aroma and fungal damage.
Strong competition from established spice exporters.

FAQs on Cardamom Business

Q1. Is cardamom business profitable in India?
Yes, the cardamom business is highly profitable in India due to strong domestic demand and high export value. Profit margins range between 20–40%, and premium profits can be earned in international markets.

Q2. What is the investment required to start a cardamom business?
The investment depends on scale. A small-scale trading unit needs ₹7–15 lakh, while a medium processing unit may require ₹20–40 lakh. Export-level businesses can go up to ₹50 lakh+.

Q3. Do I need a license to start a cardamom business?
Yes, you need an FSSAI license, GST registration, and Spice Board registration if you plan to export. For international trade, an IEC (Import Export Code) is mandatory.

Q4. Where can I buy cardamom in bulk for business?
You can buy directly from cardamom suppliers in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, or source from spice markets like Kochi and Coimbatore. Online B2B platforms also provide bulk suppliers.

Q5. How can I market cardamom products?
You can market through wholesalers, supermarkets, e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, and by exporting to high-demand countries such as UAE, Saudi Arabia, USA, and Europe.

Q6. Which packaging is best for cardamom?
For retail, use vacuum-sealed packs (50g, 100g, 250g, 1kg) to preserve aroma and flavor. For export, use moisture-proof, branded packaging that meets international standards.

Q7. What are the risks in cardamom business?
Major risks include price fluctuations in the spice market, climate changes affecting supply, storage issues like loss of aroma or fungal attack, and competition from established spice exporters.

Q8. What is the current price of cardamom in India?
The green cardamom price today varies between ₹1,500–₹2,500 per kg depending on quality, grade, and season. Export-quality cardamom fetches higher prices internationally.