Analysis and Studies - Products analysis

Cloves: import and export

Cloves are known for their strong flavor and aromatic qualities, making them a versatile ingredient in the culinary world. They are widely used to enhance both sweet and savory dishes, adding a unique touch to cakes, cookies, sauces, soups, meats, and even beverages like teas and wines. Beyond cooking, cloves are valued in perfumes, cosmetics, and for their medicinal properties.

Whether incorporated into dishes, used as essential oil, or applied in traditional remedies, cloves have a wide range of health benefits, including antioxidant protection, improved digestion, enhanced immune and liver function, better dental health, and blood sugar regulation.

In 2022, cloves were the world's 1026th most traded product, with a total trade of $603M and between 2021 and 2022 their exports grew by 23.2%, from $489M to $603M.

 In 2022 the country which exported cloves the most was Madagascar, with a trade of $309M, ahead of Indonesia ($62.6M), Tanzania ($43.8M), United Arab Emirates ($43.6M), and Comoros ($31.4M). Whereas the most significant importer was Indonesia, with a trade of $143M, followed by Singapore ($109M), India ($88.5M), United Arab Emirates ($35.7M), and Saudi Arabia ($22.8M).

In the graphic we can observe the pivotal role of Madagascar, which accounts for over half of all exports. Indonesia, while a major exporter, also emerges as the largest importer, reflecting its high domestic demand.

 

 

Key exporters like Tanzania and the United Arab Emirates serve specific regional markets, with the first one focusing on Southeast Asia and the second one acting as a trade hub for the Middle East and Africa. Smaller players like Comoros maintain significant trade links with major importers like India and the United Arab Emirates, showing the interconnected nature of the global clove market.

  1. Madagascar (51.3%): 34% Indonesia, 26.4% Singapore, 19.1% India, 4.65% United Arab Emirates, 1.17% United States, 1.04% Germany, 0.61% Egypt, 0.45% Saudi Arabia
  2. Indonesia (10.4%): 23.7% Saudi Arabia, 12% United Arab Emirates, 8.29% United States, 5.98% India, 5.87% Pakistan, 5.32% China, 2.17% Peru, 1.77% France, 0.88% Egypt
  3. Tanzania (7.27%): 45.9% Singapore, 28.3% Indonesia, 14.4% India, 3.25% United Arab Emirates, 0.97% Egypt, 0.61% Germany
  4. United Arab Emirates (7.23%): 12.3% Yemen, 8.55% Sudan, 7.57% Ghana, 7.2% Pakistan, 7.17% Niger, 3.19% Saudi Arabia, 2.66% Madagascar, 2.52% Indonesia, 1.41% India
  5. Comoros (5.21%): 34.9% India, 18.2% United Arab Emirates, 16.9% Indonesia, 14.4% Singapore, 2.7% Pakistan, 2.35% Germany, 1.96% United States, 1.54% Netherlands, 0.72% Egypt

 The graphic shows Indonesia as heavily reliant on Madagascar for the majority of its supply. Singapore and India also source most of their cloves from Madagascar, confirming the previous graphic: Singapore functions as a major trade hub, likely re-exporting much of what it imports, while India follows a more diversified strategy by bringing in cloves from multiple countries.

The United Arab Emirates's diverse sources of cloves support its dual role as both a consumer and a regional trade hub. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, seems to prefer Indonesian cloves, showing a unique regional preference in the global clove trade.

  1. Indonesia (23.8%): 74.5% Madagascar, 12.1% Singapore, 8.63% Tanzania, 3.71% Comoros, 0.76% United Arab Emirates
  2. Singapore (18%): 75.1% Madagascar, 18.5% Tanzania, 4.17% Comoros, 1.56% Indonesia
  3. India (14.7%): 66.7% Madagascar, 12.4% Comoros, 8.47% Sri Lanka, 7.11% Tanzania, 4.23% Indonesia, 0.69% United Arab Emirates
  4. United Arab Emirates (5.93%): 40.2% Madagascar, 21.1% Indonesia, 16% Comoros, 11.2% India, 4.04% Sri Lanka, 3.98% Tanzania, 2.78% Singapore
  5. Saudi Arabia (3.79%): 65.1% Indonesia, 13.5% Sri Lanka, 6.09% United Arab Emirates, 6.06% Madagascar, 4.24% Singapore, 1.81% India, 0.78% Tanzania

Between 2021 and 2022, the fastest growing exporter was Madagascar, with an increase of $192M, followed by United Arab Emirates ($17.5M), Comoros ($12.6M), Singapore ($6.76M), and India ($6.32M).

 

 

  1. Madagascar: from $118M to $309M
  2. United Arab Emirates: from $26.2M to $43.6M
  3. Comoros: from $18.8M to $31.4M
  4. Singapore: from $23.1M to $29.9M
  5. India: from $8.11M to $14.4M

Whereas the imports grew the fastest in Indonesia, with an increase of $61.9M, ahead of Singapore ($28M), United Arab Emirates ($11.1M), Saudi Arabia ($8.63M), and Malaysia ($6.47M).

 

 

  1. Indonesia: from $81.6M to $143M
  2. Singapore: from $80.7M to $109M
  3. United Arab Emirates: from $24.6M to $35.7M
  4. Saudi Arabia: from $14.2 M to $22.8M
  5. Malaysia: from $3.86M to $10.3M

Sources: 

https://oec.world/en