Nutrada lists GFSI-certified cardamom suppliers with 3-7% essential oil levels so procurement teams can compare and request quotes directly. European buyers source cardamom suppliers from Guatemala and India for applications spanning chai blends to Scandinavian bakery products.
| Value | Description |
| Botanical name | Elettaria cardamomum |
| Available forms | Whole green pods, decorticated seeds, ground powder |
| Origins | Guatemala, India (Kerala, Karnataka), Sri Lanka |
| Certifications | GFSI (BRCGS, IFS, FSSC 22000), EU Organic, Kosher, Halal |
| Common applications | Chai spice blends, curry powders, confectionery, bakery |
| Packaging | 5-25 kg bags |
| MOQ | 25kg |
| Category | Herbs Wholesale |
Green and black cardamom require different supplier sourcing due to botanical and flavour differences.
| Type | What it means for procurement | Typical application |
| Green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) | Primary commercial variety with sweet, citrusy profile; requires even green pod colour verification | Chai blends, Scandinavian pastries, premium spice mixes |
| Black cardamom (Amomum subulatum) | Separate species with smoky, camphor notes; sourced from different suppliers | Garam masala, savoury curry bases |
Processing forms determine storage requirements and volatile oil retention rates.
| Form | What it means for procurement | Typical application |
| Whole green pods | Highest volatile oil retention; visual quality assessment via colour uniformity | Premium chai blends, whole spice trading |
| Decorticated seeds | Seeds removed from pods; concentrated flavour but shorter shelf life | Ground spice production, industrial blending |
| Ground powder | Ready-to-use format; requires nitrogen-flushed packaging to prevent oil loss | Direct food manufacturing, retail packaging |
Guatemala dominates global cardamom exports with a 53.3% share of export value in 2023, shipping $365 million worth from the Alta Verapaz growing region. India follows at $155.1 million in exports, with Kerala's Idukki district producing the premium Malabar variety at 600-1,500m elevation in the Western Ghats. Indian cardamom commands quality premiums for its distinctive aroma profile and lower moisture content compared to Guatemalan supply. European procurement teams source Guatemalan cardamom for volume requirements and Indian cardamom for applications requiring specific aroma characteristics. Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 subjects Indian cardamom to enhanced official controls for pesticide residues at EU borders.
Cardamom's hygroscopic nature requires storage below 65% relative humidity to prevent mould development and volatile oil degradation. Standard packaging uses 5-25 kg multi-wall paper bags with polyethylene liners for moisture protection. Store at temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius to maintain 18-24 month shelf life, with ground cardamom requiring nitrogen-flushed packaging to prevent oxidation. Buyers must verify volatile oil content on each certificate of analysis, as levels below 3% indicate either over-processing or poor storage conditions.
EU Organic cardamom is available from Kerala suppliers and select Guatemalan cooperatives. Indian organic cardamom benefits from established certification infrastructure in spice-growing regions, while Guatemalan organic supply remains limited to smaller-scale producers. Dual EU-USDA NOP certification is common among Kerala exporters serving both European and North American markets.
Consumer packaging formats include glass jars for whole pods, resealable pouches for ground cardamom, and tea sachets for chai blends. Retail cardamom requires even colour selection and uniform pod sizes for visual appeal. MOQ for private label typically starts at 500-1,000 units. Buyers must specify volatile oil minimum levels before production to ensure consistent batch flavour intensity.
European cardamom importers concentrate in Germany and the Netherlands for redistribution across spice blending facilities. When sourcing from Guatemala, buyers often consolidate shipments with allspice suppliers to optimize freight costs.
Request volatile oil analysis, moisture content testing, and complete pesticide residue panels with each shipment. Buyers typically source cardamom alongside commodity cloves and nutmeg for mixed spice formulations.
Nutrada lists GFSI-certified cardamom suppliers from Guatemala, India, and Sri Lanka, covering whole pods, seeds, and ground forms across conventional and organic supply. All orders are placed directly with certified suppliers, with no intermediary.
Last updated: Apr 9, 2026
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