#globalclove

Cloves don't dominate global trade headlines the way rice or coffee do, but the numbers tell a sharp story. Global clove exports crossed USD 662.3 million in 2024, up 8.5% from the year before and nearly 75% higher than four years earlier — steady, compounding demand from a handful of countries that simply cannot grow enough clove themselves.

Who's buying the most. India is actually the world's 2nd-largest clove consumer, importing around 31,000 tons a year and roughly 95% import-dependent since it barely grows clove domestically. The UAE, Indonesia, China, and Saudi Arabia round out the top five importers.

Two different leaders on the export side. Indonesia leads by volume — 51,423 tonnes (55.1% of global export volume) — but Madagascar actually leads by value at USD 320 million (53% of global export value), thanks to higher essential-oil content and stronger grading in its cloves.

Where the real margin sits. India's re-export model is worth noting here — it imports clove at an average of ~USD 6,883/ton, then re-exports processed, graded material at closer to ~USD 8,938/ton. That ~USD 2,000-per-ton gap is the tangible value of cleaning, grading, and processing infrastructure.

2026 market conditions. Madagascar's weaker 2024–25 harvest has tightened supply, pushing premium-grade FOB prices to roughly USD 6,800–8,400 per tonne. Buyers in the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK are increasingly competing for certified, traceable lots rather than settling for the cheapest bulk — a direct response to that supply squeeze.