Spice is an important item in flavoring foods. Different types of spices bring unique natural tastes to cuisine. Even spices can change the look of the food to a more attractive color. Some of the spices are very good sources of food preservatives, especially for industrially processed foods. Here in this article, we list down the most profitable spice farming business ideas for your ready reference.
Apart from food, there are different uses for spices. You will find major usage in the medical industry. pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food preservatives. Spice is a global trade product. However, the “Queen of Spice” cardamom, enjoys a unique position in the international spice market.
India is the major producer, consumer, and exporter of spices in the world. In addition, the country grows over 60 different varieties of spices because of varied agro-climatic conditions and soil types. However, the world demand for organic spices is growing rapidly in developed countries like Europe, the USA, Japan, and Australia. Also, organic spice farming fetches more profits than inorganically grown spices.
List of 20 Spice Farming Business Ideas
#1. Ajwain
Apart from the spice, ajwain is also a medicinal plant. They are small brown color fruits and have an oval shape. India and Iran are the major ajowan-producing countries in the world. Ajwain farming is considered among the most lucrative spice farming business ideas with low investment.
#2. Aniseed
Another popular name for aniseed is anise. This is the fruit or seed from the flowering plant, Pimpinella anisum. Furthermore, aniseeds have a distinctive liquorice-like flavor.
#3. Black Pepper
Black pepper farming requires high humidity. India is a major producer, consumer, and exporter of black pepper. In addition, you can grow black pepper in two ways – either as a mono-crop or as a mixed crop.
#4. Cardamom
Cardamom is the world’s third-most expensive spice, surpassed in price per weight only by vanilla and saffron. In addition, two different types of cardamoms are popular. These are true or green cardamom and black cardamom.
#5. Celery
Celery is a marshland plant variety in the family Apiaceae. Leaves of celery are an essential item in culinary preparation. However, celery seed is also used as a spice and for medicinal purposes.
#6. Chilli
Chilli is one of the most important cash crops in the spice segment. Green chilli and dried chilli both are popular. Chilli is used mainly for culinary purposes.
#7. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is also a precious spice. Revenue wise cinnamon farming is lucrative. However, you must plan for the long term. Generally, you can get the crop after two years.
#8. Clove
Clove is a tropical plant. And it requires a warm humid climate. In addition, you can grow the crop on laterite soil, loamy, and rich black soil with having good irrigation and drainage system.
#9. Coriander
Fresh coriander leaves and seeds, both are very popular in the spice industry. However, depending on the desired end product, you must choose the right variety.
#10. Cumin
A moderate sub-tropical climate is ideal for cumin cultivation. For commercial cultivation, you must select a field where the crop has not been cultivated at least during the last three years.
Read: Most Profitable Cash Crops to Grow
#11. Curry Leaf
The cultivation of curry leaves demands small capital investment. However, the leaves are very perishable. So you must arrange for immediate selling.
#12. Fennel
Fennel is an aromatic plant. It is a hardy and perennial herb with yellow flowers. India is the top grower of fennel seed in the world. Fennel requires cool and dry climatic conditions. However, you can grow the crop in a wide range of soils.
#13. Garlic
You can grow garlic under a wide range of soil conditions. However, maintaining quality production requires care and attention. In addition, good clove-sized garlic fetches more profits than good bulk-sized garlic.
#14. Ginger
Ginger is an important commercial crop grown for its aromatic rhizomes. It is a herbaceous perennial. The rhizomes of ginger are used as a spice. Ginger of commerce is the dried rhizome.
#15. Methi or Fenugreek
Fenugreek is popular as a vegetable and as well as a pulse. In addition, it has also some medicinal value. Fenugreek is a cool-season crop. It is fairly tolerant to frost. Common methi is growing and produces upright shoots. However, Kasuri methi is slow-growing and remains in a rosette condition during most of its vegetative periods.
#16. Mint
Mint is one of the most profitable herbs to grow. You can cultivate mint on a small and large scale according to the availability of land. The high-yield variety gives more profit in mint cultivation. The major potential is its aroma and culinary use.
#17. Mustard
India holds the 1st position in mustard production. Mustard thrives well in a dry and cool climate. Medium to deep soils with good drainage facility is the most suitable for mustard farming.
Read: How to Start a Spice Business
#18. Nutmeg
Nutmeg is an evergreen tree. Nutmeg is the dried kernel of the seed. It is an essential item in the sweet food industry. However, nutmeg oil is also used in the cosmetics industry.
#19. Pimenta
Deep rich loam soil with huge humus content is the best suitable for pimenta or Spice farming. However, you must choose the right variety to get a high yield.
#20. Turmeric
India is the largest producer of turmeric globally. Different kinds of soils such as sandy loam clay loam or alluvial soils are suitable. However, well-drained loamy soils are the best for turmeric cultivation.
Apart from this list of 20 profitable spice farming business opportunities, there are also various popular spices in the world. However, you must choose the right variety according to the soil and agro-climatic conditions.
Editorial Team at 99BusinessIdeas is a team of experts led by Rupak Chakrabarty with over 25 years of experience in starting and running small businesses. Started in 2010, 99BusinessIdeas is now one of the largest free small business resources in the industry.
