Guatemalan Cardamom Market Report

Reference FOB prices for hand-sorted Bold Green cardamom (7 mm+) moved from USD 17.60/kg at the start of June to USD 18.20/kg by end of July 2026, a +3.4% month-on-month move. Extra Bold (8 mm+) trades at a USD 1.80–2.40/kg premium depending on colour intensity.

Support came from two factors: (i) sustained demand from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar ahead of the Ramadan 2027 forward cover cycle, and (ii) a slower ramp of the mid-crop pick in Cobán following unusually wet mornings in late May.

The 2026 crop shows strong uniformity in pod colour and low moisture at drying (10.5–11.5%). Split rate on our sorting line is running at 2.1% — better than the 3-year average of 2.8%. Extra Bold volumes are approximately 18% of the sortable mass, in line with a good year.

We expect the main pick to conclude by mid-August, with post-cure lots available for October–December shipment. Buyers building Q4 cover should indicate volumes now to lock harvest allocation.

Container availability at Puerto Quetzal (Pacific) is normal, with 7–10 day booking lead times to Jebel Ali, Jeddah, Mundra and Nhava Sheva. Santo Tomás de Castilla (Atlantic) remains the preferred route to Rotterdam, Hamburg, and US East Coast — allow 10–14 days from booking to sail.

Ocean freight indicators from Puerto Quetzal to Jebel Ali sit at USD 2,850 / 20ft this month, essentially flat versus June. No general rate increases are currently posted for August.

• Ramadan 2027 forward cover — Gulf importers are indicating for October–January shipment. Booking a container allocation now typically fixes 60–90 day price protection.
• Extra Bold scarcity — Extra Bold 8 mm+ will tighten from September onwards; premium is likely to widen.
• EU spice houses — pesticide MRL compliance (EU 396/2005) remains the top pre-shipment check; we run every lot destined for EU through an accredited lab.