Introduction
India continues to maintain its position as the world’s largest producer, consumer, and exporter of spices, supported by strong domestic demand and diverse agro-climatic conditions. As per the Spices Board India Annual Report FY24–25, total spice production in India stood at 12.48 million metric tonnes in FY23–24, which is estimated to decline slightly to 11.99 million metric tonnes in FY24–25. This moderation reflects crop-specific fluctuations across key spices, even as the overall production base remains strong and resilient.
The production assessment includes a comprehensive basket of spices such as pepper, chilli, ginger (fresh), turmeric (dry), coriander, cumin, celery, fennel, fenugreek, garlic, tamarind, clove, and nutmeg, among others. Within this basket, chilli, turmeric, and coriander continue to dominate overall production volumes, while spices like cumin and garlic also contribute significantly.
India spice production (million tonnes)
Source: DGCI&S, Spices Board of India, *advance estimate
Despite year-on-year variations in select crops, India’s spice sector remains structurally strong, supported by favourable agro-climatic conditions, steady domestic demand, and continued efforts by the Spices Board to enhance productivity and global competitiveness. India produces a wide variety of spices, with major production coming from spices such as chilli, cumin, turmeric, ginger, coriander, garlic, fennel, fenugreek, black pepper and cardamom. During 2024–25, the total production of spices in India is estimated at 11.99 million tonnes, indicating sustained high output levels despite a slight moderation compared to the previous year. Among the major spices, chilli, cumin, turmeric, ginger and coriander continue to dominate overall production, accounting for a significant share of total output.
The largest spices-producing states in India include Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and West Bengal. Madhya Pradesh remains the leading producer driven by large-scale production of garlic, coriander and other seed spices, while Rajasthan and Gujarat dominate in cumin and coriander. Southern states such as Andhra Pradesh and Telangana lead in chilli production, whereas Karnataka and Kerala are key producers of plantation spices like pepper and cardamom.
Exports Trend
In FY26, India’s spice exports were valued at US$ 413.94 million, compared to US$ 520.54 million in FY25, registering a decline of 20.48%. In FY26, cumulative spice exports stood at US$ 4.26 billion, remaining largely stable compared to US$ 4.45 billion in the corresponding period of FY25.
In FY25, chilli emerged as the top exported spice from India, valued at US$ 1,342.52 million, followed by cumin at US$ 732.35 million and spice oils & oleoresins at US$ 535.92 million. These three categories continued to dominate India’s spice export basket, driven by strong global demand across food processing, flavouring, and nutraceutical industries. Their high export values highlight India’s strength not only in raw spices but also in value-added segments.
Other significant contributors among the top five included mint products, valued at US$ 417.80 million, and turmeric at US$ 341.54 million.
India spice exports trend (million US$)
Source: DGCI&S, RBI, NIRYAT
The strong performance of these products reflects growing international preference for natural ingredients, herbal extracts, and processed spice blends. Overall, the export trend indicates a well-diversified portfolio, with both primary spices and processed derivatives playing a key role in sustaining India’s global leadership in the spice trade.
Major Export Destinations
India exported spices and spice products to multiple destinations worldwide during FY26. The top destinations among them were the USA, China, UAE, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Malaysia, the UK, Indonesia, and Germany. These 10 destinations together accounted for 62.13% of the total export earnings during the period.
The USA imported spices valued at US$ 578.64 million from India, while China imported spices worth US$ 518.59 million. The UAE imported spices amounting to US$ 367.60 million. Additionally, Bangladesh imported spices worth US$ 328.46 million from India during this period.
Other key importers included Saudi Arabia with imports of US$ 205.47 million, followed by Thailand (US$ 149.58 million), Malaysia (US$ 135.39 million), the UK (US$ 134.67 million), Indonesia (US$ 120.33 million), and Germany (US$ 109.07 million).
Government Initiatives
India’s [TP5.1]spice export sector continues to show strong growth and policy support despite global challenges. The country recorded spice exports exceeding 1.8 million tonnes valued at over US$ 4 billion, reinforcing its position as a global leader, with increasing focus on value addition, technology adoption, and sustainable supply chains. At the policy level, the government has taken proactive steps to support exporters, including launching the Rs. 497 crore (US$53.49) RELIEF scheme to address logistics disruptions, provide insurance support, and ease export obligations, especially for MSMEs. Additionally, efforts are underway to diversify markets and strengthen trade ties with regions such as South Asia and countries like Afghanistan to expand spice trade and reduce dependency on volatile regions, reflecting a strategic push to enhance export resilience and growth.
Export Development and Promotion of Spices
This initiative by the Spices Board of India aims to support the exporter to adopt high-tech processing technologies and upgrade the existing level of technology for the development of industry and to meet the changing food safety standards of the importing countries. The initiative provides benefits of infrastructure development, promoting Indian spice brands abroad, setting up infrastructure in the major spice growing centres, promoting organic spices and special programmes for north-eastern entrepreneurs.
Setting up and maintenance of infrastructure for common processing (Spices Parks)
Spices Board has launched eight crop-specific Spices Parks in key production/market centres intending to facilitate the farmers to get an improved price realization and wider reach for their produce. The purpose of the park is to have an integrated operation for cultivation, post-harvesting, processing, value-addition, packaging and storage of spices and spice products. The common processing facilities for cleaning, grading, packing, and steam sterilization will help the farmers to enhance the quality of the produce, resulting in better price realization.
Spice Complex Sikkim
Spices Board submitted a project proposal to the state’s cell for setting up a Spice Complex in Sikkim seeking financial assistance for facilitating and demonstrating common processing and value addition in spices to help farmers and other stakeholders in the state.
Governing Body
Spices Board of India
The S[TP6.1]pices Board of India’s serves as a comprehensive platform for the development, regulation, and promotion of Indian spices under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. It supports the export of 52 spices and spice products by providing trade data, market intelligence, export procedures, and quality standards to ensure compliance with global requirements. The portal also focuses on production development through farmer support programmes, productivity enhancement, and promotion of organic and GI-tagged spices. Additionally, it offers insights on prices, auctions, and export performance, making it a central information hub for stakeholders across India’s spice industry.
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