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Spices As per the Second Advance Estimates for 2025-26, the production of spices has been estimated at 126.55 lakh tonnes from an estimated area of 50.00 lakh hectares, as against 129.93 lakh tonnes from an area of 50.93 lakh hectares reported in the Final Estimates for 2024-25. Thus, the area under spices registered a decline of 1.8%, while production declined by 2.6% compared to the previous year. The decline in the area and production of spices is mainly attributable to reductions in the area and production of four major spices, namely Dry Chillies (-21%), Fennel (-18%), Cumin (-5%),Ginger (-3%), and Black Pepper (-10%). The decline in chilli production is primarily due to a significant reduction in both area and production in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the two largest chilli-producing states in the country. This was mainly caused by excess rainfall during the sowing period, followed by the incidence of pests such as thrips and diseases including leaf curl virus. Fennel production declined mainly due to a reduction in the area under cultivation in Gujarat, driven by low prevailing market prices. As a result, many farmers shifted to alternative crops offering better returns. Cumin production declined due to decrease in area under cumin, especially in the State of Gujarat. This decline in area was mainly due to prevailing low prices for cumin. Ginger production was adversely affected by fungal diseases in major producing states, particularly Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. Black pepper production declined mainly due to adverse climatic conditions during the flowering season, especially in Kerala and certain districts of Karnataka. Arecanut As per second advance estimates, the area under arecanut has been increased to 11.06 lakh ha in 2025-26 from 10.40 lakh ha in 2024-25. Which is possibly due to the highprices of arecanut prevailed. The production has increased to 15.29 lakh tonnes from 14.91 lakh tonnes due to favourable weather conditions and less incidence of pests and diseases, especially in the State of Karnataka. As per the Second Advance Estimates, the area under arecanut cultivation increased from 10.40 lakh ha in 2024-25 to 11.06 lakh ha in 2025-26, possibly due to the prevailing high market prices of arecanut, which encouraged expansion in cultivation. Production also increased from 14.91 lakh tonnes to 15.29 lakh tonnes, mainly owing to favourable weather conditions and lower incidence of pests and diseases, particularly in Karnataka. Consolidated statement of second advance estimates of area, production and productivity of spices Download Spices Areca Betel 2025-26 Second Advance consolidated