India: Climate volatility threatens spice quality and export competitiveness

• Erratic weather is affecting flavour, oil content and colour across key Indian spices
  
  
• Cumin and turmeric face rising quality concerns amid tighter export standards
  
  

India's spice industry is facing growing climate-related disruptions as erratic rainfall, heatwaves and uneven monsoon patterns begin affecting both crop yields and quality across major producing regions. The impact is becoming visible across cumin, turmeric, black pepper, cardamom and chilli, raising concerns over India's ability to maintain consistent export-grade supplies.

Cumin-growing regions in Gujarat and Rajasthan, which account for nearly 90% of India-s output, witnessed unseasonal rainfall and temperature fluctuations during the 2024-25 season. Traders in Unjha reported higher moisture damage, fungal incidence and lower volatile oil content, reducing the availability of premium-quality stocks. India exported around 2.4 lakh tonnes of cumin in FY2024-25, supported by demand from China, Bangladesh, the UAE and the US.

Turmeric-producing states including Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh also faced weather stress, impacting rhizome development and curcumin concentration - a key benchmark for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical buyers. India contributes nearly 75-80% of global turmeric production and exported over 1.6 lakh tonnes during FY2024-25.

Wider impact across spice complex

Black pepper and cardamom plantations in Kerala and Karnataka witnessed fluctuating yields due to excessive rainfall followed by prolonged dry spells, while chilli-growing regions reported quality deterioration and higher pest incidence amid rising temperatures.

Exporters said overseas buyers are increasingly tightening checks on aroma consistency, active ingredient levels and pesticide residues, particularly in Europe and the US. India exported spices and spice products worth $4.72 billion in FY2024-25, underlining the sector's growing importance to agricultural trade.

Market participants said concerns are also rising over the possibility of stronger El Nio-linked weather conditions this year, which could intensify heat stress and rainfall irregularities across key spice-growing regions. In the near term, climate-related supply volatility is expected to keep premium spice prices firm, while the industry increasingly shifts focus toward climate-resilient seeds, precision irrigation and better post-harvest management to protect export competitiveness.