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