Top Other Stimulant and Spice and Aromatic Crop Producing Countries

Other stimulant crops—such as kola nuts, betel nuts (areca), and khat—and spice and aromatic crops like cardamom, cloves, and vanilla have been integral to global agriculture and trade for centuries. Historically, the cultivation of these crops began in tropical regions: kola nuts in West Africa, betel nuts in South and Southeast Asia, and khat in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Spices such as cardamom and cloves originated in South Asia and the Maluku Islands (Indonesia), respectively, and were highly prized in ancient trade routes, fueling exploration and colonial expansion. Today, top producers of these crops include India (the world’s largest grower of betel nut and cardamom), Indonesia (major producer of cloves and vanilla), Madagascar (leading in vanilla), Nigeria (dominant in kola nuts), and Ethiopia and Yemen (notable for khat). The global spread and cultivation of these crops reflect both their cultural significance and enduring economic value, shaping cuisines, rituals, and economies across continents.

Data from United Nations FAO Stat