Every year Vietnam earns tens of millions of dollars from this fruit with its uses known as the 'queen of spices'.

Cardamom is a precious spice with the third most expensive price in the world, about 9 USD for 100 grams, just behind saffron and vanilla. Notably, this fruit is abundant in Vietnam and will bring high export value in 2024. According to preliminary statistics of the Vietnam Pepper Association (VPA), in the first quarter of 2024, exports of the cardamom - nutmeg group (BDK - NDK) reached 546 tons with a turnover of 4.9 million. USD, down 41.5% in volume and 24.6% in turnover. The Netherlands and the US are two big customers in this product group with 205 tons and 123 tons respectively.

Previously, exports of this fruit group in 2023 reached 3,551 tons, earning 27.4 million USD with main customers being the Netherlands, the US and China.

Cardamom flowers and fruits are the parts used as medicinal herbs. In particular, the fruit is harvested from trees that are at least 3 years old or more in the stage of changing from green to yellow, the appropriate harvesting time is autumn. After harvesting, dry in the shade and store in a cool, dry place.

In terms of use, this medicinal herb helps enhance intestinal motility, increase gastric secretion, prevent abnormal intestinal fermentation and prevent nausea. Besides, it also helps fight fungus, reduce fever, relax smooth muscles, and lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure very well.

Cardamom's "brother" is nutmeg. Nutmeg (in some localities also known as nutmeg or jade fruit) originates from the Maluku Islands (Indonesia) and is widely grown in tropical countries such as Cambodia, India and Malaysia. In our country, nutmeg trees are often popular in the southern provinces. The tree can be harvested after 7-8 years, and can be harvested twice a year in November-December and April-June.

Nutmeg is used as a spice to prepare dishes because it has a sweet and tangy taste, and is also used to enhance the flavor of coffee when adding nutmeg to coffee.

Nutmeg is also known in traditional Eastern medicine for its pharmacological effects as a vasodilator and anti-anxiety drug. It contains natural chemicals such as eugenol, terpenes and trimyristin that are responsible for inducing sleep, relaxing tired muscles and nerves, creating a feeling of calm and reducing pain, swelling and inflammation.

According to Modor Intelligence, the nutmeg market size is estimated to reach 2.74 billion USD in 2024 and is expected to reach 3.59 billion USD in 2029, growing at a CAGR of 5.5% during the period. forecast period (2024-2029).

According to: cafebiz.vn.