Nepal’s ‘Black Gold’ Expands Across 54 Districts as Cardamom Exports Reach NPR 8.61 Billion

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Nepal’s ‘Black Gold’ Expands Across 54 Districts as Cardamom Exports Reach NPR 8.61 Billion

Nepal’s ‘Black Gold’ Expands Across 54 Districts as Cardamom Exports Reach NPR 8.61 Billion

Ecosphere News Service 2026-03-12 10:48:42

Phidim - Large cardamom, often referred to as Nepal’s “black gold,” is strengthening its role as a high-value agricultural export as cultivation continues to expand across the country. According to the Cardamom Development Centre Fikkal, cardamom farming that originally began in Nepal’s eastern hills has now spread to more than 54 districts.
The majority of cardamom cultivation remains concentrated in Koshi Province. More than three-quarters of the total cultivated area lies within 12 districts of the province, while the remaining cultivation is distributed across districts in other provinces.
Trade data from the Department of Customs Nepal shows that Nepal exported cardamom worth NPR 8.61 billion during the first seven months of the current fiscal year (mid-July to mid-February). During this period, the country exported 4.15 million kilograms of the spice.
The figures indicate a significant growth in exports compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year. Export volume increased by 37.13 percent, while export value rose by 59.54 percent. In the first seven months of the last fiscal year, Nepal exported 3.03 million kilograms of cardamom worth about NPR 5.39 billion.
Despite its expanding production, Nepal’s cardamom trade remains heavily dependent on a single market. According to customs data, more than 95 percent of Nepal’s cardamom exports go to India, while only around 5 percent is consumed domestically. This dependency highlights both the importance of the Indian market and the potential need for broader international market diversification.
Producers and traders note that the price of cardamom has experienced fluctuations in recent years. However, the spice continues to provide a major source of income for farmers in Nepal’s hill regions. The average price of cardamom was around NPR 70,000 per man during fiscal years 2078 and 2079 in the Nepali calendar.
As demand remains strong and cultivation spreads to more districts, experts say cardamom could continue to play a vital role in Nepal’s rural economy and agricultural export sector.
#Cardamom #BlackGold #NepalAgriculture #AgriExports #RuralEconomy #KoshiProvince #SpiceTrade #SustainableFarming #EcosphereNews

Published Date 2026-03-12 10:48:42