Spices are the soul of Indian cuisine — and now, the world’s kitchens. From the fiery red chilies of Guntur to the golden turmeric of Erode and the aromatic cardamom of Kerala, India dominates the global spice trade with over 50% market share. In 2025, India’s spice exports are projected to hit $5.5 billion, up 10% from last year, fueled by rising demand for clean-label, organic, and ethnic flavors. The UAE, USA, and UK alone account for 40% of this volume, craving everything from whole cumin to value-added spice blends.
At Sadbhaav Spices, under Sadbhaav Global Impex LLP, we’ve been at the heart of this boom since 2012. We export 10,000+ tons of premium spices annually from Gujarat’s fertile fields to 50+ countries, with APEDA, Spices Board, and FSSAI compliance. Our cold-chain and blockchain traceability ensure 99.95% purity and zero rejections.
This 3,800+ word guide is your end-to-end blueprint to export spices from India in 2025. We’ll walk you through registration, sourcing, processing, documentation, packaging, shipping, top markets, and real costs. Whether you’re a farmer in Unjha, a trader in Kochi, or a startup in Mumbai, this is how to turn Indian spices into global profits.
Let’s start at the beginning.
Why 2025 is the Best Time to Export Indian Spices
The global spice market is worth $20 billion and growing at 6% CAGR. Consumers in the UAE want halal-certified garam masala for biryanis. Americans seek organic turmeric for golden lattes and supplements. The British crave curry powders for weekend takeaways. India’s edge? We produce 75% of the world’s turmeric, 60% of cumin, and 40% of chili — all at 20–30% lower cost than competitors.
The India-UAE CEPA (2022) has slashed duties to zero on 90% of spice lines. The US-India trade deal talks promise similar relief by mid-2025. Add RODTEP benefits (1.5–3% of FOB) and 50% subsidies on testing, and margins soar to 25–35%.
But success demands precision. One mislabeled bag or delayed phytosanitary certificate can cost $5,000+ per container. At Sadbhaav, we’ve shipped 5,000+ containers without a single claim — because we follow the process religiously.
Step 1: Register Your Export Business — The Legal Foundation
Exporting spices starts with official identity. You need three core registrations: IEC, APEDA, and Spices Board RCMC. Skip any, and your shipment won’t leave the port.
Get Your IEC (Importer Exporter Code)
This is your exporter passport. Apply at dgft.gov.in — link your PAN, Aadhaar, and bank account. It’s free and issued in 1–2 days. No IEC, no export.
Register with APEDA
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority governs all agri-exports, including spices. Visit apeda.gov.in, submit IEC, GST, PAN, and bank details. Pay ₹5,000 ($60). Approval in 3–5 days. APEDA registration unlocks RODTEP, MAI subsidies, and global buyer trust.
Obtain Spices Board RCMC
The Spices Board of India is mandatory for all spice exporters. Apply at indianspices.com under “Exporter Registration.” Upload IEC, APEDA certificate, factory layout, and product list (HS codes). Fee: ₹5,000–10,000 based on turnover. Validity: 1st April to 31st March. Renewal by 31st March or pay ₹1,000/month late fee.
2025 Update: The e-RCMC portal (ercmc.gov.in) now handles APEDA + Spices Board in one login. Use Aadhaar e-sign — no physical visit. We complete this for clients in 48 hours.
Total Cost: ₹15,000–25,000 ($180–300) Time: 7–10 days
Step 2: Source High-Quality Spices — From Farm to Factory
Dubai, USA, and UK buyers demand purity, potency, and traceability. Source from India’s spice belts:
- Cumin, Coriander: Unjha, Gujarat
- Chili, Turmeric: Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
- Cardamom, Pepper: Idukki, Kerala
- Fennel, Fenugreek: Rajasthan
Partner with 5,000+ farmers like we do at Sadbhaav. Use contract farming with GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) training. Test soil for pesticide residue (<0.01 mg/kg) and heavy metals.
Harvest at peak:
- Cumin: When 80% seeds turn brown
- Turmeric: 8–9 months after planting
- Chili: When 90% pods turn red
Dry under solar tunnels (3–7 days) to 10–12% moisture. Transport in ventilated trucks within 6 hours to the packhouse.
Cost: ₹80–150/kg farm-gate (cumin), ₹200–300/kg (cardamom)
Step 3: Processing & Quality Control — The Purity Promise
Spices must meet international standards: ASTA cleanliness, ISO 22000, FDA/EU compliance.
Cleaning & Grading
Use air classifiers, destoners, and optical sorters (Buhler) to remove stones, dust, and stalks. Grade by size, color, and oil content (e.g., 2.5%+ volatile oil in cumin).
Sterilization
- Steam sterilization (100°C, 20 mins) — kills microbes, retains flavor
- ETO (Ethylene Oxide) for USA (residue <0.01 ppm)
- Irradiation (optional, 5–10 kGy) for EU
Grinding & Blending
Cryogenic grinding (-40°C) preserves 30% more aroma. Blend in clean rooms (Class 100,000). Test every batch for aflatoxin (<4 ppb), salmonella (absent), and pesticides.
Sadbhaav Lab: NABL-accredited, 100+ parameters tested. We reject 3–5% lots pre-export.
Cost: ₹20–50/kg processing
Step 4: Packaging & Labelling — First Impression Matters
Packaging protects flavor and meets global regs.
Bulk Export (B2B)
- 25kg PP woven bags with food-grade liner
- Moisture barrier + oxygen absorber
- Palletized (1 ton/pallet, ISPM-15 treated wood)
Retail Export (B2C)
- 100g–1kg stand-up pouches with zip-lock
- PET jars or metal tins
- Private labeling (buyer logo, barcode)
Labelling Requirements
- Product name (e.g., “Whole Cumin Seeds”)
- HS Code (0909.31 for cumin)
- Net weight, Batch No., Mfg/Expiry (24 months)
- Origin: “Product of India”
- Nutritional info, Allergen warning
- Arabic/English for UAE, FDA format for USA
Cost: ₹5–15/kg
Step 5: Documentation — Your Export Passport
Prepare 8 key documents within 24 hours:
- Commercial Invoice — FOB value, HS code
- Packing List — bag count, weight
- Bill of Lading — shipping line
- Certificate of Origin — Chamber (GSP for duty-free)
- Phytosanitary Certificate — PPQS (pest-free)
- Spices Board Certificate — quality compliance
- Health Certificate — FSSAI
- Insurance — 110% coverage
2025 Tip: Use blockchain COA — scan QR for lab reports, farm GPS.
Cost: ₹5,000–10,000/shipment
Step 6: Shipping & Logistics — From Mundra to the World
Choose Your Port
- Mundra (Gujarat) — closest to spice belts
- Cochin (Kerala) — for cardamom/pepper
- Chennai — for chili/turmeric
Container Type
- 20ft/40ft dry for whole spices
- Reefer for ground/blended (15–18°C)
Top Markets & Transit
| Market | Share | Transit | Key Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | 25% | 7–10 days | Garam masala, chili |
| USA | 20% | 25–30 days | Turmeric, cumin |
| UK | 15% | 25–30 days | Curry powder |
Freight: $1,200–2,500/container (sea) Insurance: 0.5% of FOB
Step 7: Customs Clearance in Destination
- UAE: Dubai Municipality permit, halal cert
- USA: FDA prior notice, FSMA compliance
- UK: DEFRA phytosanitary, Brexit checks
Sadbhaav Advantage: Pre-cleared docs = <24-hour release
Pricing & Profitability (2025)
| Spice | Farm-Gate | FOB India | CIF Dubai | Profit/Container |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumin | ₹150/kg | ₹220/kg | ₹250/kg | $8,000 |
| Turmeric | ₹80/kg | ₹130/kg | ₹150/kg | $6,000 |
| Chili | ₹100/kg | ₹160/kg | ₹180/kg | $7,000 |
RODTEP: 1.5–3% = $300–600/container
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong HS code → duty penalties
- High moisture → mold in transit
- Missing Spices Board cert → shipment hold
- Poor packaging → flavor loss
Conclusion: Your Spice Export Journey Starts Now
Exporting spices from India in 2025 is profitable, structured, and scalable — if you follow the process.
From APEDA registration to Dubai delivery, every step builds trust and revenue.
At Sadbhaav Spices, we’ve turned Gujarat’s fields into global shelves — and we can do it for you.
Start your spice export journey with expert guidance.
📧 info@sadbhaavspices.com 📞 +91 7397993793 🌐 www.sadbhaavspices.com
From farm to flavor — we make it happen.