Sri Lanka Trade Tools · For Growers & Exporters

Cardamom Grade Calculator

Enter your cardamom’s pod size, color and moisture to see which export grade it falls into, AGEB, AGB or smaller, whether it’s export-ready, and how to cure and sort it up to a higher grade.

Length of a typical bold pod. Larger, fuller pods grade higher. If pods vary, use the average.

Deep green is the premium “Alleppey Green” trait. Bleached or yellowed pods grade lower whatever their size.

From a moisture meter. Cardamom is typically dried to about 10–12%.

Indicative guide. Size bands follow a common commercial convention, conventions vary between buyers, and the definitive grade is set by your buyer’s contract spec and the relevant standard. Real grading also weighs color, bulk density, aroma and defects, not size alone.

AGB

Alleppey Green Bold · 7–8 mm, green

High
  1. AGEB: Extra Bold≥8 mm, deep green
  2. AGB: Bold7–8 mm, green
  3. AGS: Superior6–7 mm, green
  4. Shipment / Bulk<6 mm or mixed
Export-ready, within the ~10–12% moisture range.

Level up: to reach AGEB (Alleppey Green Extra Bold, ≥8 mm), pick larger, fuller pods and grade out the smaller ones; cure in shade to hold the green color.

What this grade is roughly worth

Larger, deep-green pods (AGEB/AGB) sit at the top of the market range; small or bleached pods near the bottom.

We don’t publish a firm per-grade price, cardamom prices move with the market and the contract. For current indicative ranges see Ceylon commodity prices, and for a real figure for your lot, request a quote. We’ll confirm the grade and current FOB.

How cardamom is graded

Cardamom is graded mainly by pod size and color. Larger, fuller, bolder pods grade higher, and a deep, even green color is the premium trait that defines the “Alleppey Green” grades, AGEB (Extra Bold), AGB (Bold) and AGS (Superior). Pods that are small, or that have yellowed or sun-bleached during drying, drop into shipment/bulk grades whatever their size. Bulk density, aroma and freedom from splits and immature pods also count.

GradePod sizeColorMarket tier
AGEB (Alleppey Green Extra Bold)≥8 mmDeep greenPremium
AGB (Alleppey Green Bold)7–8 mmGreenHigh
AGS (Alleppey Green Superior)6–7 mmGreenMedium
Shipment / Bulk / Bleached<6 mm or mixedPale / yellowedEconomy

For the full grade reference across Ceylon products, see the product grades guide; for indicative market prices, Ceylon commodity prices. Grow cardamom or other spices and want to export? See how the Sri Lanka spice exporter program works. We help producers grade, get export-ready and reach buyers.

Color and drying make the grade

Cardamom lives and dies by its color. Cure and dry it gently, in shade or with controlled low heat, to lock in the deep green; harsh sun or over-drying bleaches the pods and splits them, dropping a bold pod into a bulk grade. Aim for about 10–12% moisture: too wet and it molds, too dry and pods split and lose aroma. Confirm the exact moisture and color expectations in your buyer’s specification.

Grow with the marketplace

Whether you harvest a few kilos or run a curing house, we help Sri Lankan cardamom producers grade, cure, document and reach real overseas buyers. Tell us what you have. We’ll confirm the grade against buyer specs and match you to demand.

Post your cardamom →

Frequently asked questions

What is AGEB cardamom?

AGEB (Alleppey Green Extra Bold) is the top cardamom grade: the largest, fullest pods (about 8 mm and up) with a deep, even green color. AGB (Bold) and AGS (Superior) follow, with smaller pods.

How is cardamom graded?

Mainly by pod size (larger is better) and color (deep green is premium), plus bulk density, aroma, moisture and defects. The bands here follow a common commercial convention; the definitive grade is set by the buyer’s contract and the relevant standard.

Why does color matter so much?

A deep, even green is the defining trait of the premium “Alleppey Green” grades. Pods bleached pale or yellow by harsh sun or over-drying grade lower, even a large pod, so cure and dry cardamom gently, in shade or with controlled low heat.

Do you publish a price for each grade?

No, cardamom prices move with the market and contract. See Ceylon commodity prices for indicative ranges, and request a quote for a real figure for your lot.