As per the second advance estimates for 2024-25, the production of spices has been pegged at 123.70 lakh tonnes from an estimated area of 46.83 lakh ha against the production of 124.84 lakh tonnes from an area of 50.24 lakh ha in 2023-24. In 2024-25, both area and production of spices registered a decline of 6.8% and 0.9% respectively when compared with 2023-24 final estimates.
Decrease in area and production of spices recorded in 2024-25 was mainly attributed to the substantial decrease in area and production of following major spices.
| Crops | 2023-24 (Final) | 2024-25 (Second Advance) | % difference | |||
| Area (‘000 ha) | Production (‘000 tonnes) | Area (‘000 ha) | Production (‘000 tonnes) | Area | Production | |
| Black Pepper | 312.902 | 126.038 | 253.858 | 78.817 | -18.9 | -37.5 |
| Possible Reason | Pepper production has decreased primarily due to the dry spell during the flowering season, followed by a period of heavy and incessant rainfall. The same was observed in the pepper survey conducted by DASD during Oct 2024 in the major pepper growing states. | |||||
| Red Chillies | 965.612 | 2909.844 | 895.119 | 2678.905 | -7.3 | -7.9 |
| Possible Reason | Chilli crop in AP was severely affected by the heavy rain during the month of August /September, leading to a subsequent decline in production. | |||||
| Cumin | 1302.333 | 894.565 | 1145.113 | 773.732 | -12.1 | -13.5 |
| Possible Reason | Due to bumper production in 2023-24, prices have declined and hence the area under cumin cultivation has decreased. | |||||
| Fennel | 216.019 | 376.049 | 87.418 | 154.163 | -59.5 | -59.0 |
| Possible Reason | Due to unprecedented increase in production in 2023-24, prices have declined, resulting in a decline in area under fennel. | |||||
| Cardamoms | 83.062 | 35.091 | 83.262 | 30.566 | 0.2 | -12.9 |
| Possible Reason | The decline in production was mainly due to the severe dry spell during the months of April and May 2024 | |||||
However, the following spices have registered markable increase in area and production.
| Crops | 2023-24 (Final) | 2024-25 (Second Advance) | % difference | |||
| Area (‘000 ha) | Production (‘000 tonnes) | Area (‘000 ha) | Production (‘000 tonnes) | Area | Production | |
| Ginger | 194.243 | 2333.000 | 225.628 | 2542.173 | 16.2 | 9.0 |
| Possible Reason | Due to the high prices that prevailed in 2023–24, the area under ginger cultivation has increased, leading to a corresponding rise in production | |||||
| Turmeric | 292.830 | 1063.224 | 317.567 | 1203.621 | 8.4 | 13.2 |
| Possible Reason | Due to the high prices that prevailed in 2023–24, the area under turmeric has increased, leading to a corresponding rise in production | |||||
| Garlic | 388.676 | 3315.545 | 410.795 | 3503.289 | 5.7 | 5.7 |
| Possible Reason | Increase in garlic production is mainly due to favourable climatic conditions | |||||
| Coriander | 604.075 | 836.524 | 604.491 | 854.971 | 0.1 | 2.2 |
| Possible Reason | Due to better prices during the previous season, area has increased and hence an increased production. | |||||
| Ajwan | 39.947 | 37.884 | 46.931 | 44.059 | 17.5 | 16.3 |
| Saffron | 3.176 | 0.0029 | 3.222 | 0.0032 | 1.4 | 10.3 |
| Mint (Mentha) | 362.334 | 38.700 | 366.172 | 39.087 | 1.1 | 1.0 |
| Nutmeg | 25.743 | 18.940 | 26.110 | 19.892 | 1.4 | 5.0 |
| Clove | 1.847 | 1.015 | 1.848 | 1.121 | 0.1 | 10.4 |
The second advance estimates of arecanut 2024-25, show increase in area of 7.3% and increase in production of 1.9%. Area increased due to the high prices prevailed for arecanut. Marginal improvement in production has been noticed this year due to adoption of better management practices.
| Crops | 2023-24 (Final) | 2024-25 (Second Advance) | % difference | |||
| Area (‘000 ha) | Production (‘000 tonnes) | Area (‘000 ha) | Production (‘000 tonnes) | Area | Production | |
| ARECANUT | 949.403 | 1410.966 | 1018.947 | 1438.285 | 7.3 | 1.9 |