John H. Elton, Inc. Spice Brokers Global Services Since 1949
Spice & Commodity Brokers in Greenpoint (Brooklyn), New York
John H. Elton, Inc., is a full service ingredient brokerage house specializing in herbs, spices, dried fruits and nuts.
Proud Member of:
American Spice Trade Association (ASTA)
©2025 John H. Elton Inc. New York, NY USA
Nov 7, 2025
* The Supreme Court's decision on tariffs will have a dramatic impact on our industry. If they are eliminated, attention will then focus on refunds, which probably will be required. Obtaining them likely will be cumbersome. The amount to be returned will depend upon the ruling, but likely would be enough to require revenue generation (probably through the issuance of bonds). Increased activity in our commodities to address demand that has been shelved since tariffs were imposed is likely.
* There is still no definite word on the expected Vietnamese and Indian tariff reductions.
* Some Chinese garlic/onion exporters now will sell based on lower tariff rates, despite the continued uncertainty.
Pepper
Vietnam's market has been quite stable, while Brazil is a little firmer. New crops there are yet to arrive in abundance from Espirito Santo which may well happen over the coming weeks and could reverse the scenario. Near term demand from both origins is more dependent on the U.S. tariff state of affairs than crop developments, so that has been the focus. Tarriff uncertainty now seems to have touched the U.S. spot market and some importers have a greater desire to lighten stocks sooner for which they have paid high duties.
Other Spices:
Guatemala is now offering new crop CARDAMOM; for the second year the crop is quite short and levels are strong. Indian CUMIN was volatile, but mostly strengthened, as it is clear that plantings are sharply down in both Gujarat and Rajasthan. FENNEL sowing is even more reduced in response to that market being so much less active - even at extremely competitive levels - this past season. A number of Chinese suppliers have reduced levels for DDP GARLIC anticipating tariff reductions, offsetting the strength of their internal market. Heavy rains in Gujarat strengthened the ONION market in India. Rains also damaged the Mexican OREGANO harvest. Indian SESAME strengthened, but Central American levels are competitive.
JHE IS NOW USDA ORGANIC CERTIFIED