Imports of Cloves to India increased nearly threefold in last five years on the back of fall in the domestic production due to the change in weather conditions and drop in cultivation area.
The Cloves production during 2014-15 was 1260 tons from a total of 2380 hectares. The production for 2017 is estimated at 1000 tons. The annual domestic demand for Cloves in India is about 15000 to 20000 tons. Import of Cloves increased significantly. Imports during 2015-16 was 20235 tons, valued at Rs 1045.42 crore, when compared to imports of 7000 tons which was valued at Rs 153.378 crore during 2010-11 season.
The farmers in the major growing areas have give up Clove farming and moved to other crops due to the non lucrative prices of Cloves in the market, this is the major factor for the drop in cultivation area.