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Whole clove buds hand-picked at the right maturity from Maluku, Sulawesi and Java, then sun-dried to hold the high eugenol content buyers specify clove for.
HS 0907
Overview
Indonesia grows more cloves than any other country, and almost uniquely it also consumes most of what it grows, because the kretek industry absorbs enormous volume domestically. That matters to an importer for one practical reason: export availability and price move with the domestic kretek market as much as with the world spice market. What leaves the country is graded carefully, and the reason buyers keep returning to Indonesian origin is eugenol. Buds picked at the right moment, just before the flower opens, and dried in the sun rather than forced, hold an oil content that distillers and food manufacturers can rely on.
Grades
Uniform, unopened buds with headless content under 5%. The grade specified for whole spice retail and premium food manufacturing.
Sound whole buds with a wider tolerance for headless and broken material, suited to grinding and bulk food use.
The lower-cost by-product, sold separately and used mainly as distillation feedstock for clove oil.
Where it's grown
Post-harvest
Buds are picked by hand from the tree just before opening, which is the single most important quality decision in the whole chain. Picked too late, the flower opens and eugenol drops. They are then spread on drying floors and sun-dried for several days until they turn the characteristic dark brown and snap cleanly. Sun-drying rather than mechanical drying preserves the volatile oil. Dried buds are winnowed to remove stems, leaf and dust, then graded before baling.
Season
The main clove harvest runs roughly July to October across Maluku, Sulawesi and Java, though clove trees crop unevenly and a heavy year is often followed by a light one. Because domestic kretek demand competes for the same crop, buyers who commit early in the season get better availability.
Who buys it
Whole and crushed clove for Indonesia's clove-cigarette industry and export blenders.
High-eugenol buds and stems supplied as feedstock for essential oil extraction.
Culinary-grade whole cloves for spice packers, food manufacturers and retail brands.
Packing, shipping & documents
Cloves are packed in 50kg jute or PP woven bags, which breathe well enough to prevent moisture regain in transit. A 20ft container carries roughly 12 to 14 tonnes depending on bag size and stuffing. Shipments include a certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, weight and quality certificate, packing list, and on request a laboratory analysis covering moisture, foreign matter and volatile oil content. Samples of 250g to 500g go by courier ahead of contract so your own lab can verify eugenol before you commit.
Questions buyers ask
Our clove buds typically test between 15 and 20% eugenol oil content. A laboratory analysis is available per shipment on request.
Yes. Clove stems are a lower-cost by-product used mainly for oil extraction, sold separately from whole buds.
Buds are sun-dried to 12% moisture or below before baling, then shipped in breathable jute or woven bags that prevent moisture regain in the container.
Roughly July to October, though clove trees crop unevenly and a heavy year is often followed by a lighter one. Early commitment helps secure volume.
Because the domestic kretek cigarette industry consumes most of Indonesia's crop, export price and availability follow domestic demand as much as the world spice market.
Let's talk tonnage
Tell us your grade, volume, and destination port. We reply within one business day with an offer, samples, and lead time.
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