Import green cardamom from India: Kerala pods graded by size
Kerala green cardamom graded by pod size and colour, for retailers, coffee houses and blenders, with Spices Board documents and tests for your market.
Request a green cardamom quote
Tell us the grade and volume. A specialist replies within one business day.
What is green cardamom from India, and where is it grown?
Green cardamom from India is grown mainly in Kerala (Idukki), Karnataka (Kodagu) and Tamil Nadu, and is sold in size grades such as Alleppey Green Extra Bold and Bold, from about 6 mm to 8 mm and above. Vats Consultancy supplies whole pods graded to your size and colour, from retail pouches to bulk export bags, FOB or CIF, with Spices Board documentation.
| Also called | Elaichi, small cardamom, true cardamom |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Elettaria cardamomum |
| Customs code (HS, indicative) | 0908.31 (whole) and 0908.32 (crushed or ground) |
| Main growing areas | Idukki (Kerala), with the Vandanmedu and Puttady auction centres; Kodagu (Karnataka); the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu |
| Season | Harvest from about August to January. Part of the crop is sold through auctions supervised by the Spices Board. |
| Forms we supply | Whole pods graded by size, Seeds (decorticated), Ground cardamom on request |
| Terms | FOB or CIF, other terms on request |
| Minimum order | From a pallet of retail packs; bulk usually by the container |
Last reviewed 2 November 2026. Customs codes are indicative: your customs broker has the last word.
Which green cardamom types and grades can I buy?
Tell us your use and we will recommend a grade, or match a specification you already have.
Alleppey Green Extra Bold (AGEB)
The largest pods, about 8 mm and above, bright green. Chosen for premium retail and gifting.
Alleppey Green Bold (AGB)
Large pods, about 7 to 8 mm, a popular grade for retail and the coffee trade.
Alleppey Green Superior and smaller sizes
Smaller pods of about 6 to 7 mm and mixed sizes, used by blenders and food manufacturers where size matters less than aroma and price.
What quality checks do buyers use?
These are the points we agree in writing before we quote, and confirm with a sample or a laboratory test.
- Pod size. Agreed in millimetres and by the share of pods in each size band.
- Colour. Green colour retention is a quality signal. Bleached or very pale pods are not what premium buyers want.
- Volatile oil. The aroma. We can confirm it with a lab test.
- Moisture. Kept in a safe range so that the pods stay green and do not mould.
- Split, empty and light pods. Agreed as a maximum share in the specification.
How is green cardamom packed and shipped?
Packing and loading are agreed with you, and we confirm the exact loadable weight for your pack.
- Retail pouches and tins, including private label.
- Cartons and bags for bulk, often 10 to 20 kg.
- Smaller lots by pallet or air freight for high-value orders, full container for large volumes.
Who buys it:
- Premium retailers and gifting brands
- Coffee roasters and tea blenders
- Bakeries and confectioners
- Spice blenders
- Gulf and Middle East distributors
- Foodservice groups
Which tests, documents and rules apply?
Importing markets differ in what they test and what they accept. We confirm the requirement for your product and your destination before we quote, and arrange the tests per lot.
- Pesticide residues. Cardamom is tested against the limits of the importing market. Tell us the market and we plan the test.
- Ethylene oxide. Where a buyer asks for a test report or a treated lot, we arrange it.
- Colour and oil. Confirmed by sample and, where needed, by laboratory test.
- Phytosanitary certificate. Issued by India's plant quarantine authority when the destination requires it.
This page is about green (small) cardamom. Large or black cardamom, from Sikkim and Darjeeling, is a different spice with a smoky flavour. Ask us if you need it.
Documents we prepare
- Commercial invoice and packing list. Matched to your purchase order and to the container loading.
- Certificate of origin. States the true origin of the goods, and supports preferential duty where a trade agreement applies.
- Phytosanitary certificate. Issued by India's plant quarantine authority where your destination requires it.
- Quality and residue certificates. Test reports for pesticide residues, aflatoxin or other contaminants where your market requires them.
Spice export destinations by country | International markets | Spices Board India
How does an order work?
The same four steps apply whether you order one pallet or a full container.
Specification
You share the spice, grade, form (whole or ground), packing and destination port.
Quote and sample
We quote FOB or CIF and arrange a pre-shipment sample.
Contract
Price, quantity and payment terms are agreed in writing.
Shipping and documents
We arrange loading, shipping and the export paperwork.
Common questions about importing green cardamom from India
What do the grades AGEB and AGB mean?
They are trade names for Alleppey Green Extra Bold and Alleppey Green Bold. The extra bold grade has the largest pods, about 8 mm and above, and bold is about 7 to 8 mm. Exact size bands are agreed in your specification.
How can I tell good cardamom from poor cardamom?
Look at colour, pod size, aroma and the share of split or empty pods. Green, plump, strongly aromatic pods are the better lots. We send a sample so that you can judge before you order.
Is Indian cardamom the same as Guatemalan cardamom?
Both are the same species, green cardamom. Differences in flavour, colour and price come from the growing area, the processing and the grade. We supply Indian-origin cardamom from Kerala and the Western Ghats.
Can I buy ground cardamom or just seeds?
Yes. We can supply pods, seeds and ground cardamom, though whole pods keep their aroma longer and are the most traded form.
What is the minimum order?
Premium cardamom can start from a pallet or a smaller air-freight lot. Bulk lots move by the container. Tell us your volume.
Which terms do you quote?
FOB from a port such as Kochi, or CIF to your port. Air freight is possible for small, high-value orders.
Do you arrange the export paperwork?
Yes: invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, and the phytosanitary and quality certificates your market needs.
Get a green cardamom quote
Sourcing is coordinated from our Bengaluru office, with shipping and documentation handled through our RAKEZ, UAE office.
Send an enquiry
The more detail you share, the more useful our first reply.