Nepal’s “Green Gold” Is Booming: Cardamom Exports Surge Past Rs 12.63 Billion Through Kakarbhitta

Cardamom exports through Kakarbhitta Customs Point have posted a major jump in fiscal year 2025/26, with shipments crossing Rs 12.63 billion and reinforcing the spice’s reputation as Nepal’s “green gold.” The surge reflects strong demand in India, which remains the key market for Nepali cardamom.

Exports climb sharply in FY 2025/26

Customs data shows that cardamom shipments through the eastern border point rose significantly compared with the previous year, adding Rs 4.96 billion in export value. At Mechi Customs, officials reported that 3.461 million kg of cardamom worth Rs 7.199 billion was exported in the first half of the fiscal year, up 58 percent from the same period a year earlier.

Other reports from the same trade corridor also show cardamom leading export earnings at Kakarbhitta, where the commodity has consistently outperformed other agricultural and forest-based products such as tea, ginger, plywood, and veneer sheets.

India remains the biggest driver

The growth is being fueled largely by demand from India, which is the primary destination for Nepal’s cardamom exports. Industry coverage has repeatedly pointed to cross-border trade with India as the main reason cardamom continues to dominate the export basket at Kakarbhitta.

That dependence also highlights how important border trade infrastructure is for Nepal’s agricultural economy. When demand is strong and customs flow smoothly, cardamom can quickly become one of the country’s most valuable export earners.

Why cardamom matters so much

Cardamom is one of Nepal’s most recognizable high-value farm exports, especially in eastern districts where production supports thousands of growers and traders. Its strong performance this fiscal year suggests continued resilience in a sector that often depends on price movements, harvest conditions, and demand from neighboring markets.

Recent trade data also shows that cardamom remains a leading export item through Kakarbhitta even when broader export trends fluctuate. In other words, while many goods compete for space at the border, cardamom continues to act like a dependable revenue engine.

What the latest numbers signal

The latest export spike suggests that Nepali cardamom is benefiting from both stable production and sustained international appetite. If current momentum continues, Kakarbhitta Customs Point could see another strong year for agricultural exports, with cardamom likely staying at the center of the story.

For Nepal, the takeaway is straightforward: a single spice is still capable of delivering billions in export value, and its biggest market is just across the border.