July 27, 2025

Which Country Produces the Most Cloves

Indonesia is by far the world’s largest producer of cloves. According to 2023 data, Indonesia alone accounts for approximately 73–75% of global clove production, equivalent to over 135,000 tonnes out of a total of around 185,000 tonnes .

Following Indonesia, the next top producers are:

  • Madagascar at roughly 13–15% (about 24,600 tonnes) .
  • Tanzania at around 4–5% (~8,500 tonnes) .
  • Further contributors include Comoros, Sri Lanka, Kenya, China, Malaysia, and Grenada, but their shares are much smaller .

🌍 Why Indonesia dominates

  • Indigenous to the Maluku Islands (Spice Islands), cloves thrive in Indonesia’s tropical climate.
  • Large cultivated area: over 500,000 ha dedicated to clove farming .
  • A substantial domestic market, particularly for kretek (clove) cigarettes, which consume around 85–90% of locally produced cloves .

Summary table (2023)

CountryProduction (tonnes)Global Share
Indonesia~135,000~73–75 %
Madagascar~24,600~13–15 %
Tanzania~8,500~4–5 %
Others (combined)Remaining ~8–10 %

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