Guatemala boosts cardamom exports

GUATEMALA has recorded a sharp increase in its exports of cardamom over the first nine months of this year.

Customs data shows that the country shipped a total of 15,072 tonnes of the spice to global destinations between January and September 2011, 28% up from the 11,773 tonnes sold in the same period of 2010.

Saudi Arabia remained the top market over the latest period, increasing its volumes by 18.8% to 4,606 tonnes.

Sales to second largest buyer the United Arab Emirates declined by 25.8% to 1,642 tonnes but those to third biggest buyer Syria surged by a massive 100% to 1,506 tonnes.

There was also a substantial increase in exports to Bangladesh – up nearly 119% to 898 tonnes. Similarly, German offtake was 128.8% up at 659 tonnes.

In percentage terms the biggest year-on-year gain was to India at nearly 980% higher to 520 tonnes.

Pakistan raised its purchases by 78.6% to 853 tonnes and ranked as the fifth largest market for Guatemala’s cardamom over the period.

The volumes sold to the US – which was the sixth biggest buyer – dipped by a marginal 1.38% to 666 tonnes.