India’s spices exports fall 6% to $4.43 billion

India's spices exports declined in both volume and value terms during FY26, weighed down by lower shipments of key products such as chilli, cumin and turmeric, according to data released by the Spices Board India.

 The country exported 1.73 million tonnes of spices worth $4.43 billion in 2025-26, marking a 4% decline in volume and a 6% drop in value compared with the previous financial year. Chilli, India's largest spice export, recorded a sharp setback.  Export volumes fell more than 4% to 683,681 tonnes, while earnings dropped 12% to $1.18 billion. Jeera exports also weakened significantly, with volumes declining 14% to 196,800 tonnes and export value falling 28% to $524 million. 

  Turmeric exports remained relatively stable, with volumes slipping just 0.2% to 175,896 tonnes.  However, export earnings from the spice declined 4% to $327 million.  

 In contrast, cardamom exports posted strong growth. Small cardamom shipments more than doubled in both volume and value, reaching 15,050 tonnes and $413 million. 

   Large cardamom exports also increased sharply. Among other products, ginger exports rose 11% in volume and 15% in value.

—Informist