A $1.2 million research project hopes to establish a "new, high-value broadacre condiment industry" to serve local and export markets, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan said on Monday.

It will test whether the region can support spice crops and if successful it could lead to new opportunities for Australian growers.

A number of small field trials will be run in Queensland and the Northern Territory to test the performance of five spice crops: cumin, caraway, black sesame, kalonji and fennel.

The trials will be held in Rockhampton, Biloela, Burdekin and Tully in Queensland, and Katherine and Darwin in the NT.

The project will run for three years and will assess the market, supply and agronomic systems.

"It is thought the project will generate around $8.4 million in economic activity by the end of the third year, including about $1.2 million in income at farm gate level," the minister says.

"If it takes off, there's a great opportunity for us to replace imported product and potentially generate exports."

The project will be funded through the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia.

Australian Associated Press