Green Cardamom Grades Explained
The 6mm, 7mm, 8mm and AGEB size grades for Indian green cardamom, an auction-priced spice with no fixed list price.
Size-grade table
Green cardamom is graded on capsule size, screened in millimetres, with bolder, greener capsules commanding the higher prices. Unlike most spices, cardamom is auction-priced, so there is no fixed list price to quote.
| Grade | Screen size | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 6mm | 6 mm bold | Smaller bold capsules |
| 7mm | 7 mm | Common export size |
| 8mm | 8 mm | Larger, bolder capsules |
| AGEB | Extra bold | Alleppey Green Extra Bold selection |
How the market works
- Kochi in Kerala is the historic cardamom auction benchmark; capsules are traded through licensed auctions rather than at a posted price.
- The Alleppey Geographical Indication covers green cardamom (not turmeric). AGEB (Alleppey Green Extra Bold) is the bold, deep-green top selection.
- Cardamom is light and high-value, so it often moves by air freight from around 100 kg rather than filling a sea container.
Frequently asked
What are the main green cardamom grades?
By capsule size: 6mm, 7mm, 8mm and AGEB (Alleppey Green Extra Bold). Bolder, greener capsules price higher. Cardamom is auction-priced, so there is no fixed rate.
Does the Alleppey GI cover turmeric?
No. The Alleppey Geographical Indication covers green cardamom. Alleppey finger turmeric is a traded grade, not a GI.
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- Cardamom price
- Cardamom is auction-priced with no fixed list value, so no price is quoted here; use the day auction print.
- Colour-grade bands
- Numeric bands separating green from bleached and light cardamom are not in our verified set.
Reviewed 16 July 2026.
Sources
- Spices Board of India — Export statistics· Tier 1, retrieved 2026-07-16
- Geographical Indications Registry, India — Registered GIs· Tier 1, retrieved 2026-07-16
- CBI — Entering the European market for spices and herbs· Tier 2, retrieved 2026-07-16