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Export chilli

India’s largest spice export by volume. Dried red chilli goes to China, Thailand and Bangladesh; aflatoxin is the key test.

Free to exportHS 0904.21
HS code
0904.21
Dried chilli, neither crushed nor ground. Crushed or ground chilli is 0904.22; fresh green chilli is 0709.60.
Export policy
Free to export
Free. CRES from the Spices Board is compulsory for dried chilli. Fresh green chilli for the EU must go through APEDA’s VegNet traceability system (APEDA circular, 18 Mar 2026).
Registrations
5
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 1.1 bn
to 116 countries

What is exported

India exported 6.84 lakh tonnes of chilli in 2025-26 worth about US$ 1.18 billion (Spices Board). Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka supply varieties such as Teja, 334 (Sannam) and Byadgi. China is by far the largest buyer, followed by Thailand, Bangladesh, the USA, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Indonesia and Malaysia. Buyers ask for stem-on or stemless whole chilli, crushed flakes or powder graded by colour (ASTA) and pungency.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Teja (S17)Very hot, bright red; the bulk variety for China and South-East Asia.
  • 334 / Sannam (S4)Medium heat; the classic Guntur export chilli (Guntur Sannam is a GI).
  • Byadgi (Kaddi and Dabbi)Deep colour, low heat; bought for colour extraction and paprika-style use.
  • Warangal Chapata (Tomato chilli)High colour, low pungency, Telangana; registered as a GI in 2025.
  • Stemless whole, crushed and powderForms graded by ASTA colour units and pungency (SHU).

Where it is grown or made

  • Andhra PradeshGuntur — the largest chilli market yard; Prakasam and Krishna also grow for export.
  • TelanganaWarangal and Khammam (Teja and Chapata).
  • KarnatakaByadgi market in Haveri district; Ballari and Raichur.
  • Madhya PradeshNimar region (Khargone, Dhar) — third-largest chilli state by area.

Season

Harvest October–March (Spices Board calendar). Arrivals at Guntur peak after the new year; cold-stored chilli ships all year.

Export packing

  • Whole dried chilli pressed into 25–40 kg jute or PP bales/bags.
  • Powder and flakes in 25 kg multi-wall paper bags with a poly liner.
  • Lots for Sri Lanka need pre-shipment aflatoxin testing and clearance by the Spices Board.

Who buys abroad

  • Chinese and Thai traders buying whole chilli in bulk
  • Oleoresin and natural-colour extractors
  • Spice grinders and sauce makers in the USA and EU
  • Importers in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Malaysia

The quality buyers ask for

Colour value
Stated in ASTA colour units, measured by the ASTA extractable-colour method; drives the price of Byadgi-type and paprika chilli
Pungency
Scoville heat units (SHU), measured by HPLC as capsaicin content
Form
With stem, stemless, crushed or powder; stem and loose seed limits in the contract
Aflatoxin and ochratoxin A
EU: aflatoxin 5 ppb and ochratoxin A 15 ppb; Japan: aflatoxin 10 ppb; South Korea: ochratoxin A 7 ppb (Spices Board compilation)
Ethylene oxide and dyes
EU: ethylene oxide 0.02 mg/kg; artificial colour prohibited (Taiwan names it); Sudan dyes absent
Standard
Codex standard for dried or dehydrated chilli pepper and paprika (CXS 353-2022); AGMARK spice grades

Certificates

  • Spices Board CRESRequiredCertificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices. Required by law before you export any spice listed by the Spices Board.
  • FSSAI licenceRequiredCentral licence from FSSAI for the premises where the food is packed or stored for export. Apply on FoSCoS.
  • Phytosanitary certificateRequiredIssued by Plant Quarantine (DPPQS) for each consignment of plant produce, after inspection. Apply on PQMS.
  • Aflatoxin pre-shipment clearance (Sri Lanka)RequiredWhole chilli to Sri Lanka goes through the Spices Board’s pre-shipment testing and clearance for aflatoxin.
  • APEDA VegNet (fresh green chilli to the EU)RequiredFresh green chilli for the EU must be traced and tested through APEDA’s VegNet (circular, 18 Mar 2026).
  • HACCPOften askedA food-safety plan that identifies hazards at each processing step and controls them. Most importers ask for it from the processing unit.
  • ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000Often askedFood-safety management system certification. FSSC 22000 is recognised by GFSI, which large retailers and brand owners look for.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Whole dried chilli is bulky: it is pressed into bales or bagged and shipped in 40-ft high-cube containers, typically about 12–14 tonnes. Powder and crushed chilli fill a 20-ft box much more densely.

How it travels

Sea freight from Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Krishnapatnam for Andhra and Telangana chilli; air for green chilli.

Storage

Cold storage at Guntur and other hubs holds dried chilli for months and protects colour. Keep moisture low; damp chilli grows mould and aflatoxin.

Shelf life

Whole dried chilli typically about a year in cold storage; powder less.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • Bulk bags and cartons: product and grade, crop year, lot number, net and gross weight, “Product of India”, exporter name and the buyer’s shipping marks, matching the invoice and packing list exactly.
  • EU retail packs (Regulation 1169/2011): name of the food, ingredients with allergens highlighted, net quantity, best-before date, storage conditions, the EU importer’s name and address, and origin where required — in the language of the country of sale.
  • USA (21 CFR 101): product name, net quantity in both US and metric units, ingredients, allergens, name and place of business of the packer or distributor, Nutrition Facts unless exempt; and “Product of India” marking (19 CFR 134).
  • Lot or batch number on every pack and bag — FSSAI’s Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020 require it, and every importing country uses it to trace and recall.
Where to get it tested

The Spices Board runs quality evaluation laboratories in Kochi, Mumbai, Chennai, Guntur, Narela (Delhi), Tuticorin, Kandla, Kolkata and Jodhpur; fees and sample forms are on indianspices.com → Quality. NABL-accredited private labs (search nabl-india.org) are also used. Check the Board’s “Mandatory tests for export” list for your spice and market.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • Spices BoardCertificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices (CRES). Required by law for anyone exporting a spice listed by the Spices Board.indianspices.org.in ↗
  • FSSAIFood business licence. FSSAI rules put food exporters under the Central licence; apply on FoSCoS and keep it valid for the premises you pack from.foscos.fssai.gov.in ↗
  • APEDA (fresh green chilli)RCMC and VegNet farm/packhouse registration if you export fresh green chilli, especially to the EU.apeda.gov.in ↗

Quality and checks

  • Aflatoxin (EU limit 5 µg/kg) and ochratoxin A (15 µg/kg) — caused by damp storage and drying on bare ground.
  • Pesticide residues and ethylene oxide (EU 0.02 mg/kg on chilli products).
  • Salmonella absent in 25 g for the EU and Australia; Sudan dyes and other illegal colours must be absent.
How to start small

Buy graded stemless chilli in Guntur, get it tested for aflatoxin and residues, and ship one container to a Bangladesh or Sri Lanka buyer against LC. Once you have a clean record, approach the UAE and UK packers for powder.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Storing chilli in damp godowns before shipment — aflatoxin rises fast and the lot fails at destination.
  • Adding colour or oil to improve appearance; this is treated as adulteration and leads to alerts.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (4)
  1. Spices Board — Major item/country-wise export of spices (2021-22 to 2025-26)
  2. Spices Board — SPS requirements for spices (risks reported in export consignments)
  3. Spices Board India — exporter registration (CRES) and quality
  4. APEDA — Circular on Veg.Net for drumstick and green chilli exports to the EU (18 Mar 2026)

Trade data

Indian chilli exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 1.1 bn
-1.6% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↓ -12.9%
US$ 1.26 bn → US$ 1.1 bn
Buyer countries
116
Average export price
US$ 1.93
per kg · 5,68,154 tonnes shipped · US$ 2.12 the year before
China: US$ 361 mnUnited States of America: US$ 107 mnBangladesh: US$ 94.9 mnSri Lanka: US$ 81.5 mnIndonesia: US$ 65 mnMalaysia: US$ 50 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 30.4 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 18.7 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 14.1 mnNepal: US$ 12.6 mnVietnam: US$ 11.3 mnCanada: US$ 9.6 mnSingapore: US$ 8.3 mnAustralia: US$ 7.7 mnItaly: US$ 4.5 mnSouth Africa: US$ 4.4 mnSpain: US$ 4 mnNetherlands: US$ 3.9 mnOman: US$ 3.5 mnChina: US$ 361 mnChinaUnited States of America: US$ 107 mnUnited States of AmericaBangladesh: US$ 94.9 mnBangladeshSri Lanka: US$ 81.5 mnSri LankaIndonesia: US$ 65 mnIndonesiaMalaysia: US$ 50 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 30.4 mnUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom: US$ 18.7 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 14.1 mnNepal: US$ 12.6 mnVietnam: US$ 11.3 mnCanada: US$ 9.6 mnSingapore: US$ 8.3 mnAustralia: US$ 7.7 mnItaly: US$ 4.5 mnSouth Africa: US$ 4.4 mnSpain: US$ 4 mnNetherlands: US$ 3.9 mnOman: US$ 3.5 mnIndia
Where Indian chilli goes — among our 30 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 1.19 bn1.2k2020-212021-22: US$ 1.11 bn1.1k2021-222022-23: US$ 1.25 bn1.2k2022-232023-24: US$ 1.44 bn1.4k2023-242024-25: US$ 1.26 bn1.3k2024-252025-26: US$ 1.1 bn1.1k2025-26
India’s chilli exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2022-23, lowest in 2025-26 — a 40% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 2.15 per kg2021-22: US$ 2.21 per kg2022-23: US$ 2.70 per kg2.702024-25: US$ 2.12 per kg2025-26: US$ 1.93 per kg1.932020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian chilli · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

2020-21: US$ 1.19 bn2020-212021-22: US$ 1.11 bn2021-222022-23: US$ 1.25 bn2022-232023-24: US$ 1.44 bn2023-242024-25: US$ 1.26 bn2024-252025-26: US$ 1.1 bn2025-262026-27: US$ 1.23 bn (US$ 1.06 bn – US$ 1.44 bn)1.2k2026-272027-28: US$ 1.24 bn (US$ 1.04 bn – US$ 1.47 bn)1.2k2027-28
India’s chilli exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 1.24 bn

Likely range US$ 1.04 bn to US$ 1.47 bn.

Trend
+0.3% a year
Fit (R²)
0 — weak, read with care
Based on
6 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change
1ChinaUS$ 361 mn-19.7%
2ThailandUS$ 121 mn-1.3%
3United States of AmericaUS$ 107 mn-18.8%
4BangladeshUS$ 94.9 mn-18.4%
5Sri LankaUS$ 81.5 mn+11.5%
6IndonesiaUS$ 65 mn-15.5%
7MalaysiaUS$ 50 mn+2.9%
8United Arab EmiratesUS$ 30.4 mn-1.9%
9MexicoUS$ 20.1 mn+27.8%
10United KingdomUS$ 18.7 mn-19.8%
11Saudi ArabiaUS$ 14.1 mn-9.3%
12NepalUS$ 12.6 mn-17.9%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

  1. MexicoUS$ 15.7 mn → US$ 20.1 mn+27.8%
  2. Sri LankaUS$ 73.1 mn → US$ 81.5 mn+11.5%

Low demand

  1. GhanaUS$ 14.6 mn → US$ 8.6 mn-41.5%
  2. United KingdomUS$ 23.3 mn → US$ 18.7 mn-19.8%
  3. ChinaUS$ 450 mn → US$ 361 mn-19.7%
  4. United States of AmericaUS$ 132 mn → US$ 107 mn-18.8%
  5. BangladeshUS$ 116 mn → US$ 94.9 mn-18.4%
  6. NepalUS$ 15.4 mn → US$ 12.6 mn-17.9%
  7. IndonesiaUS$ 77 mn → US$ 65 mn-15.5%

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Spices, fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta, dried, neither crushed nor ground — of genus capsicum0904 21 10US$ 840 mn-11.8%4,58,131 tonnesUS$ 1.83 per kgwas US$ 1.98
Spices, fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta, crushed or ground — chilly powder0904 22 11US$ 168 mn-16.1%75,945 tonnesUS$ 2.22 per kgwas US$ 2.49
Crushed or ground; other fruits of genus capsicum0904 22 19 · Spices, fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta, crushed or groundUS$ 86.4 mn-16.2%32,188 tonnesUS$ 2.68 per kgwas US$ 3.15
Spices, fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta, crushed or ground — other of genus pimenta0904 22 29US$ 1.8 mn+7%1,720 tonnesUS$ 1.06 per kgwas US$ 1.74
Spices, fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta, crushed or ground — powder0904 22 21US$ 1 mn-45.7%117 tonnesUS$ 8.62 per kgwas US$ 4.65
Spices, fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta, dried, neither crushed nor ground — of genus pimenta0904 21 20US$ 170k-78.2%52 tonnesUS$ 3.24 per kgwas US$ 3.58

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports
US$ 2.87 bn
2023
India among exporters
#1
of 130 countries
India’s share of world exports
40.2%
US$ 1.34 bn
Left for others to win
US$ 1.99 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1IndiaUS$ 1.34 bn 40.2%
  2. 2ChinaUS$ 906 mn 27.2%
  3. 3SpainUS$ 295 mn 8.9%
  4. 4PeruUS$ 176 mn 5.3%
  5. 5MexicoUS$ 96.9 mn 2.9%
  6. 6GermanyUS$ 57.2 mn 1.7%
  7. 7NetherlandsUS$ 31.1 mn 0.9%
  8. 8MyanmarUS$ 30.5 mn 0.9%
  9. 9USAUS$ 30.3 mn 0.9%
  10. 10TunisiaUS$ 24.9 mn 0.7%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1USAUS$ 563 mn 19.6%
  2. 2ChinaUS$ 396 mn 13.8%
  3. 3ThailandUS$ 228 mn 7.9%
  4. 4MexicoUS$ 169 mn 5.9%
  5. 5MalaysiaUS$ 159 mn 5.6%
  6. 6SpainUS$ 159 mn 5.5%
  7. 7IndonesiaUS$ 125 mn 4.4%
  8. 8GermanyUS$ 97.5 mn 3.4%
  9. 9Sri LankaUS$ 97.3 mn 3.4%
  10. 10JapanUS$ 80.6 mn 2.8%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

United States of AmericaUS$ 613 mnIndia 22.4% · gap US$ 475 mn
SpainUS$ 188 mnIndia 3.2% · gap US$ 182 mn
GermanyUS$ 113 mnIndia 3.1% · gap US$ 109 mn
JapanUS$ 80.8 mnIndia 1.5% · gap US$ 79.6 mn
MalaysiaUS$ 135 mnIndia 43% · gap US$ 76.9 mn
United KingdomUS$ 71 mnIndia 30.5% · gap US$ 49.3 mn
NetherlandsUS$ 45.9 mnIndia 8.7% · gap US$ 41.9 mn
CanadaUS$ 54 mnIndia 29% · gap US$ 38.3 mn
FranceUS$ 43.1 mnIndia 11.2% · gap US$ 38.3 mn
ChinaUS$ 498 mnIndia 93.8% · gap US$ 31 mn

TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export chilli

India is the world’s largest exporter of dried chilli, and chilli is one of the Spices Board’s biggest export items. China is both a major buyer and a rival grower, alongside Pakistan, Myanmar and Peru for paprika-type peppers. Demand comes from Chinese, Thai and Sri Lankan food industries, oleoresin makers, and seasoning and sauce brands. The openings are high-colour and low-heat types for extraction, and clean, low-aflatoxin chilli for Europe and Japan.

  1. 01Choose the type for the buyer

    Match the variety to the use: Teja for heat, Byadgi for colour, 334/Sannam for general use. Agree colour, SHU, stem and moisture.

  2. 02Buy from cold storage with records

    Buy lots with known farm and storage history; mixed old and new crop causes colour and aflatoxin problems.

  3. 03Clean, sort and de-stem

    Machine-clean, remove discoloured pods and stems as agreed, and pack in lined bags.

  4. 04Lab test every lot

    Test aflatoxin, ochratoxin A, pesticide residues, Sudan dyes and, for powder, Salmonella. Sri Lanka-bound chilli goes through the Board’s aflatoxin clearance.

  5. 05Stuff, document and ship

    Stuff the container, file the shipping bill and get the phytosanitary and origin certificates.

  6. 06Get paid and close the file

    Send the original documents through your bank (or to the buyer if paid in advance). Once the money arrives, get the e-BRC and claim RoDTEP and drawback where they apply.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting chilli

What is ASTA colour and why does it matter?
It is a laboratory measure of the red colour that can be extracted. Oleoresin and paprika buyers pay by it, so quote it on every offer.
Why is Indian chilli often stopped in Europe?
For aflatoxin, ochratoxin A, pesticide residues and Salmonella. EU limits are among the lowest, so test each lot before you ship.
Stem or stemless — which sells better?
Stemless fetches more and is preferred by Europe and many processors; with-stem chilli goes mainly to Asian buyers who process it themselves.
Can I export fresh green chilli?
Yes, mainly by air to the Gulf and the UK. For the EU it must go through APEDA’s VegNet sampling and traceability.
How do I keep aflatoxin low?
Dry chilli quickly on clean tarpaulins or dryers, not on bare ground, keep moisture low, and store in cold storage.
Sources (6)
  1. Spices Board — SPS requirements for spices (risks reported in export consignments, with limits)
  2. Spices Board — Quality evaluation laboratories (9 locations)
  3. Spices Board — Major item/country-wise export of spices (2021-22 to 2025-26)
  4. Codex Alimentarius — list of standards
  5. APEDA — International Pesticide MRL Database
  6. APEDA — Fresh Fruits & Vegetables (VegNet circular for green chilli, 18 Mar 2026)

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