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
December 19, 2025
ASTA's good work on the Indian 25% Russian oil tariffs was a success! After an exchange with the White House the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative clarified that Russian oil-related tariffs do not apply to commodities newly added to Annex II. ASTA also reminds the trade that there have been further negotiations with India, which hopefully will impact the tariff structure now in place for items not under Annex II. Further advocay resulted in this change also being effected for parallel Brazilian tariffs. Well done ASTA!
Pepper
Vietnam's internal 5% VAT on pepper trades will end in January which should result in a more active internal market. Also they are more definitively predicting a substantially smaller crop this season. In contrast - with typical limited activity at year's end - theirs is now a drifting market with a greater willingness to bend to bids, and to sell forward with minimal premium. Brazilian sellers also seem more interested to find buyers now.
Other Spices:
India's CHILLIE market is strong as new crop arrivals are disappointing in quantity and quality; lower prices last year already triggered smaller plantings. CARAWAY levels continue to ease as Egypt's substantial crop is meeting demand from Asia; the current levels seem to be drawing out larger interests. India's CUMIN has been stronger; China's interest in the coming season will probably determine where this market goes. Chinese GARLIC prices continue to weaken. India is offering new crop dehydrated GREEN PEPPERCORNS; Brazil is offering a premium quality priced lower than freeze dried product. India's GINGER market seems to have touched a bottom, for now. Egypt is harvesting new crop PARSLEY. Turkey's spiralling OREGANO market has not yet found a ceiling! The Spanish SAFFRON market has been easing.
JHE IS NOW USDA ORGANIC CERTIFIED