Cardamom buyers in Saudi Arabia: how much they buy and what they check

Key takeaways

• Saudi Arabia was the largest buyer of Indian small cardamom in 2025-26 [1].
• The volume increased by 2.7 times in one year, from 1,458 tonnes to 3,994 tonnes [1].
• The average value was approximately $30.88 for each kg [1].
• Buyers compare grades by capsule size, colour and volatile oil.

How much cardamom does Saudi Arabia buy?

Saudi Arabia is now the largest market for Indian small cardamom. The table gives the figures of Spices Board, from DGCI&S data [1]:

The increase was part of a larger change. Total exports of small cardamom increased from 6,728 tonnes in 2024-25 to 15,050 tonnes in 2025-26 [1]. The UAE took 3,941 tonnes and Bangladesh took 2,840 tonnes.

What is the average price for Saudi Arabia?

Divide the export value by the volume to get an approximate average. In 2025-26, the average for Saudi Arabia was approximately $30.88 for each kg, or approximately Rs 2,727 for each kg [1]. The average for the UAE was approximately $29.86 for each kg.

Use the average as a signal, not as a price. It includes all grades, all capsule sizes and all months of the year. The price for one lot depends on the grade.

Does Saudi Arabia buy large cardamom?

Only a small volume. In 2025-26, India exported 133 tonnes of large cardamom to Saudi Arabia [1]. The UAE took 1,132 tonnes, more than any other market. Our large cardamom guide gives the limits for that product.

What do Saudi buyers check?

Buyers compare small cardamom by grade. Give each grade as numbers, with a sample:

• Capsule size: the size range or the sieve that you use for grading.
• Colour: a plain description, with a sample that has a lot number.
• Volatile oil: FSSAI sets a minimum of 3.5% for whole capsules [2].
• Moisture: FSSAI sets a maximum of 13.0% [2].
• Empty and malformed capsules: FSSAI sets a maximum of 3.0% by count [2].

Use the correct HS code. The ITC (HS) list of Spices Board gives 0908 31 20 for Alleppey green and 0908 31 30 for Coorg green [3]. Our green cardamom specification guide gives all the limits and a sheet format.

How do you find and check buyers?

Use routes that let you check the identity of the buyer:

• Meet buyers at trade fairs. Our trade fair guide gives the 2027 dates.
• Ask your current Gulf buyers for introductions.
• Use trade data only as a source of names.

Before you send a sample, check the company. Ask for its commercial registration (CR) number. Check the number with an official Saudi source. Also check the email domain of the company.

What must your first message say?

Subject: Green cardamom, [grade, size range]: spec sheet and sample offer

Dear [Name],

We export green cardamom from [State], India. Our spec sheet is attached. It gives capsule size, colour, volatile oil and moisture for our current lot.

Which grades and sizes do you buy? We can send a sample of each grade.

Regards,
[Your name], [Role], [Company]

Write only facts about your company. When the buyer replies, send a quotation that the buyer can compare.

Next step. Before a buyer replies, the buyer usually checks your company online. Our free Buyer Check is a 1-page report on your Google listing, website and spec gaps. It gives the 3 most important fixes within 24 hours.