Agriculture has historically been the backbone of Kerala, though its share of the GDP has declined in favor of services. Unlike most of India, Kerala focuses heavily on cash crops rather than food crops. It is a dominant producer of spices—specifically black pepper, cardamom, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
Rubber is a major plantation crop, with Kerala accounting for the vast majority of India's natural rubber production. Other significant crops include coconut, tea, coffee, and cashew nuts. While rice (paddy) cultivation has dwindled due to land conversion and labor costs, it remains culturally significant, especially in regions like Kuttanad, where farming is done below sea level. The state also boasts a robust fisheries sector, with both extensive inland fishing in its backwaters and a massive marine fishing industry along its coastline.