Farmers elated as black cardamom price rises after seven years

KATHMANDU: The price of black cardamom has finally increased after seven years, bringing joy to farmers.

This popular spice, aptly named black gold, used to sell for as much as Rs 120,000 per maund (40 kg) in the past. However, for the past seven years, black cardamom has struggled to fetch a price of Rs 40,000 per maund. This year, farmers are now getting up to Rs 74,000 per maund.

According to the Black Cardamom Traders Federation, this marks the highest price in seven years. “The price remained below Rs 40,000 per maund for the past seven years. This year, the spice has been fetching prices above Rs 50,000 per kg since August,” Nirmal Bhattarai, president of the federation, said. “However, production has decreased this year due to pest attacks and inadequate rainfall.”

Bhattarai criticized the government’s indifference to farmers, stating that it has done nothing to find a market for black cardamom. “The government did nothing to find a market for black cardamom even though prices fell drastically in the past seven years,” he added.

According to the federation, black cardamom grown in eastern hilly districts such as Panchthar, Taplejung, Ilam, Sankhuwasabha, and Dhankuta was sold for around Rs 31,000 per maund last year. “Black cardamoms are graded depending on quality. While ‘A’ grade cardamoms sold for Rs 31,000 per maund, ‘B’ and ‘C’ grades fetched Rs 29,000 and Rs 26,000 per maund, respectively. This year, black cardamoms of all grades are selling for more than Rs 60,000 per maund,” Bhattarai added.

Black cardamom is a major cash crop in eastern hilly districts, providing additional income for farmers as it is grown on land not fit for any other crops. India is the major market for black cardamoms produced in Nepal. “This is why India’s policies and taxation directly impact its prices,” Bhattarai added.

According to farmers, the government has been unable to register the trademark of black cardamom, as Indian traders sell Nepali cardamoms after mixing with black cardamoms grown in India in international markets.

Government data shows black cardamom is grown in 22 districts across the country, including Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, Terhathum, Sankhuwasabha, Dhankuta, Bhonpur, Lamjung, and Gorkha. It is the main cash crop for farmers in Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, Terhathum, Sankhuwasabha, Dhankuta, and Bhojpur.

Nepali black cardamoms are being sold via India in Pakistan, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the US, Canada, and several European countries. Indian traders are selling black cardamom grown in India under brand names like ‘Himali,’ ‘Ilami,’ and ‘Bharat,’ farmers say. Since Nepali black cardamoms reach international markets through India, many international buyers are unaware that black cardamoms are grown in Nepal, according to officials of the federation.

Black cardamoms are used to make spices, bakery items, aromatic oils, tinctures, and alcoholic beverages. It is also used to prepare Ayurvedic medicines.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, black cardamom farming covers 15,400 hectares, with an annual production of over 7,000 tons. The black cardamom trade in Nepal is valued at around Rs 9 billion.