Editing Cardamom (section)

=== Trade ===
Cardamom production's demand and supply patterns of trade are influenced by price movements, nationally and internationally, in 5 to 6-year cycles.{{sfn|Nair|2011|p=277}} Importing leaders mentioned are [[Saudi Arabia]] and [[Kuwait]],{{sfn|Parthasarathy|Chempakam|Zachariah|2008|p=41}} while other significant importers include [[Germany]], [[Iran]], [[Japan]], [[Jordan]], [[Pakistan]], [[Qatar]], [[United Arab Emirates]], the [[United Kingdom|UK]], and the former [[Soviet Union|USSR]].{{sfn|Nair|2011|p=278}} According to the [[United Nations Conference on Trade and Development]], 80 percent of cardamom's total consumption occurs in the [[Middle East]].{{sfn|Nair|2011|p=278}}

In the 19th century, [[Mumbai|Bombay]] and [[Chennai|Madras]] were among the principal distributing ports of cardamom. India's exports to foreign countries increased during the early 20th century, particularly to the United Kingdom, followed by Arabia, Aden, Germany, Turkey, Japan, Persia and Egypt. However, some 95% of cardamom produced in India is for domestic purposes,<ref>Giriappa, S. {{Google books|2k66AAAAIAAJ|Plantation Economy in India}}</ref>{{sfn|Kusters|Belcher|2004|p=136&ndash;46}} and India is itself by far the most important consuming country for cardamoms in the world.{{sfn|Watt|1908|p=517}} India also imports cardamom from Sri Lanka. In 1903–1904, these imports came to {{convert|269132|lb|kg|order=flip|abbr=on}}, valued at Rs. 1,98,710. In contrast, Guatemala's local consumption is negligible, which supports the exportation of most of the cardamom that is produced.{{sfn|Nair|2011|p=267&ndash;268}} In the mid-1800s, [[Ceylon]]'s cardamom was chiefly imported by Canada.{{sfn|Bell|1843|p=387}} After [[saffron]] and [[vanilla]], cardamom is currently the third most expensive spice,{{sfn|Parthasarathy|Chempakam|Zachariah|2008|p=41}} and is [[#Uses|used]] as a spice and flavouring for food and liqueurs.{{sfn|Owen|1883|p=1}}