Cinnamon mainly grows in tropical regions and is native to Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), with significant native or cultivated presence in India and Myanmar. It is also cultivated in several other countries including Indonesia, Vietnam, China, and parts of South America and the West Indies. The cinnamon tree thrives in moist, well-drained soils in wet tropical climates. More specifically:
- True cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum or Ceylon cinnamon) is native to Sri Lanka and also found in India and Myanmar.
- Cassia cinnamon, a related species, is primarily grown in Indonesia (especially Sumatra), China, Vietnam, and Burma.
- Other countries where cinnamon is introduced and cultivated include Bangladesh, Cambodia, Philippines, Mauritius, Tanzania, and several islands in the Pacific and Caribbean regions.
- Around 90% of the world's pure cinnamon comes from Sri Lanka, while Indonesia is the largest producer of cassia cinnamon.
The harvesting process typically involves cutting back the cinnamon trees to stimulate new shoots, which are then harvested for their inner bark to produce cinnamon quills and other cinnamon products.