In Nepal, prices of large cardamom are increasing as global demand for spice surges. Currently, the market price of Large cardamom is NPR 2500 per kg in Nepal. It is a high-value cash crop in Eastern Nepal. Nepal is the largest producer of large cardamom, accounting for 68% of the global production, followed by India and Bhutan. Large cardamom is used extensively in South Asian cuisine, non-veg delicacies and masala tea. The majority of Nepal’s large cardamom is exported, with India being the largest importer and newer markets emerging in the Middle East, Bangladesh, Europe, and the United States.

The eastern hilly districts, particularly Ilam, Taplejung, Panchthar, Sankhuwasabha, and Terhathum, are the main areas for large cardamom cultivation, along with Dhading, Lamjung and Kaski. These regions benefit from the cool, humid climate and well-drained soils at altitudes between 800 to 2,200 meters. Due to climate-induced diseases such as wilt and infestation by stem borers, production of large cardamom has reduced in the past two years in Nepal. In spite of this, the unique smoky flavour of Nepali large cardamom, attributed to the traditional drying of pods over wood fires, makes it very popular among buyers.