Illicit trade and policy drift unsettle spice market

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Imeripotiwa na AI

Cardamom prices in Addis Abeba have more than doubled in a week, reaching nearly 2,900 Br per kilogram. This surge, linked to illicit trade and policy uncertainties, has stunned shopkeepers and shoppers. Shelled cardamom now sells for up to 4,500 Br per kilogram.

A week of upheaval in Addis Abeba's spice markets has disrupted routine business. Cardamom prices, for the staple known locally as Korerima, surged from 1,500 to 1,600 Br per kilogram to nearly 2,900 Br. Shelled cardamom now fetches up to 4,500 Br, shocking retailers and buyers with its speed.

The markets are facing exceptional volatility, particularly in cardamom, a key ingredient in Ethiopian cuisine. This price escalation, reported on December 20, 2025, by Fortune staff writer Yitbarek Getachew, stems from illicit trade and policy drifts that have unsettled the sector. Shopkeepers report stunned reactions as costs double, affecting households across the city.

While the full impacts remain unfolding, the sudden shift highlights vulnerabilities in Ethiopia's spice trade, a vital part of local commerce and daily life.

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