Petrova Olga

Clove is a Treasure of the Maluku Islands

ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНАЯ АЗИЯ: АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ РАЗВИТИЯ, 2026, №1(70), 110-119

 
Annotation: Cloves were once one of the most valuable and rare commodities in global trade. This spice was grown almost exclusively on the Maluku Islands in eastern Indonesia. Due to its rarity and high demand in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, cloves became a central element of trade networks. Traders from various regions transported cloves along the long sea routes linking Southeast Asia with India, the Middle East, and Europe. The modern clove trade in Indonesia is unique in that the country is both the largest producer and the largest consumer of cloves in the world. Unlike many spices, which are primarily exported, the majority of Indonesian cloves are used domestically, particularly in the tobacco industry.

Keywords: Indonesia, cloves, culture, trade, health