Case study · Climate Naturals

A bulk buyer asked for rates.
No one was at the desk.
elNudge was.

This is the story of a spice business from Kerala, India, a market that moves every day, and one Thursday morning.

1Meet Climate Naturals

Spices from Kerala, India, sold online since 2012.

Their family has grown spices for almost 200 years, on more than 100 acres in Kerala, India: cardamom first, then pepper, ginger, nutmeg and cloves.

In 2012 they took spices online, for home buyers, retailers, wholesalers and exporters, buying straight from farmers and auctions, with no middlemen.

Since2012FromKerala, IndiaSold450 tonnesExports toAustralia, Turkey, Oman, Austria, Iran
climatenaturals.com
Climate Naturals home page, with the elNudge chat button in the bottom-right corner
2The market

Prices go up and down. Every day.

Cardamom is sold at auction, so today’s rate can be higher or lower than yesterday’s. In 10 months the price more than doubled. In the next 4, it fell by more than a quarter.

Small cardamom, ₹ per kgMonthly auction average
₹1,500₹2,000₹2,500₹3,000₹1,436 · Mar 2024₹3,057 · Jan 2025₹2,204 · May 2025Aug 23Jan 24Aug 24Jan 25Aug 25Jan 26
Source: Spices Board of India, all-India auction price, Aug 2023 to Feb 2026.
When prices rise
Buyers rush to stock up before it climbs further.
When prices fall
Buyers wait, compare, and ask around for the best rate.
So every rate question is a buying signal
A buyer asking today’s rate is deciding today. Answer tomorrow, and they have bought from someone else.
3The gap

Buyers everywhere. No one at the desk.

A big business, buyers around the world, and rates that change every day. But no one can sit at the website all day, every day.

“Shoppers used to look around our spices and leave without a word.”
Nibin Jose, Director, Finance & Trade, Climate Naturals
4Thursday, 8 Oct

One buyer. 11 minutes. Visit booked.

A bulk buyer came to the website on a Thursday morning. No one from the team was in the chat.

10:44
elNudge speaks first
Offers today’s rates on spices, oils and colours.
10:45
The buyer asks for cardamom rates
Gets every grade, by quantity, plus a PDF rate sheet.
10:49
“In which season do rates go down?”
Gets an expert answer on harvest seasons, then a question back: what quantity and grade?
10:54
“Not now. I’d like to visit first.”
elNudge books the visit. The team will call him.
10:55
Done
11 minutes. No one from the team in the chat.

the real chat, buyer’s name and number hidden →

Website chat · climatenaturals.com Thursday
elNudge · 10:44
Looking for bulk spices, essential oils, or natural colours? Tell me what you need and I'll get you today's rates or connect you with the team.
Buyer · 10:45
Please share the rates of different grade of cardamom
elNudge · 10:45
Today's cardamom rates (0–50 kg):
Whole cardamom
Bulk — ₹3,484 per kg5-6mm clean — ₹2,945 per kg5-6mm fruit — ₹2,789 per kg5-6mm split — ₹2,581 per kg6-7mm clean — ₹3,132.50 per kg6-7mm fruit — ₹3,018 per kg6-7mm split — ₹2,789.50 per kg7-7.5mm clean — ₹3,297 per kg7-8mm clean — ₹3,414 per kg7-8mm fruit — ₹3,206 per kg
Cardamom powder
Powder A — ₹2,870.50 per kgPowder B — ₹2,506.50 per kgPowder C — ₹2,132 per kg
Seeds & by-products
Seed single (clean) — ₹3,120 per kgSeed double (clean) — ₹3,224 per kgDe-oiled seeds — ₹707 per kgHusk — ₹738.50 per kg
Bulk orders get lower rates — tell me your quantity. Download today's rate sheet (PDF)
Buyer · 10:49
In which season rates go down?
elNudge · 10:49
Cardamom rates are highest during the peak harvest season (September–November) when supply floods the market. They gradually rise from December through August as stocks deplete. The lowest rates typically occur in October–November right after harvest.

For your next bulk order, I can lock in today's best available rate — what quantity and grade are you looking at?
Buyer · 10:54
Presently I'm not going to order for. I've to purchase many more spices, so first I would like to visit your place and after that I would in position to order the good.
elNudge · 10:54
Got it. You'd like to visit us first before placing a bulk order — that's a great idea to see our range in person.

Our team will be happy to host you. Our team will call you shortly on +91 •••••• 7265. You can also reach us directly at +91 90745 58545.
Buyer · 10:55
Okk. Thanks!
elNudge · 10:55
You're welcome! Looking forward to showing you our full range of spices, oils, colours, and dehydrated products. Our team will be in touch soon to set up a convenient time for your visit.
52–13 Oct 2026

Twelve days later, the numbers.

Straight from the elNudge dashboard.

6In their words
“Shoppers used to look around our spices and leave without a word. Now elNudge greets them at the right moment and answers their questions, even late at night. For the first time, we can see who is on our site and who is ready to buy.”
Nibin Jose
Director, Finance & Trade
Climate Naturals

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