The Hindu Business Line : Spices industry to focus on quality certification

LAYING thrust on quality certification process to be globally competitive, the domestic spice industry plans to target West Asia, Russia and CIS countries.

Mr Ramkumar Menon of Tata Tea Ltd, Spices division, and Chairman of All-Indian Spices Exporters' Association, and Mr M.S.A. Kumar, Managing Director of AVT Natural Products Ltd, said the Seventh World Spice Congress, deliberated on the concept of `Spices Flavours and Beyond,' with focus on issues relating to quality, with representatives of various countries including the European Union.

Following direct interface with representatives of the European Union, members of the spice trade have decided to initiate thrust on quality upgradation particularly with reference to the matter relating to Red Sudan-1. This will lay special emphasis on Spice House certification, which would be provided, to companies having ISO 9000 certification for their processes.

"We are on course to achieving the targeted Rs 1,900 crore exports this year. About 60 per cent of this was achieved by December 2003. However, there are areas of concern relating to pepper where competition has heated up and in ginger where there is demand supply mismatch. The only way to improve the overall output and performance of the sector is to value add through spice oils, oleoresins and curry powder," they said.

"The competition has increased from neighbouring Pakistan, which has taken a large chunk of trade in West Asia. By ensuring better quality products, we will be able to reach out to newer markets including West Asia."

Earlier, the Chairman of the Spices Board, Mr C.J. Jose, said to diversify exports, the effort is now directed at promoting cultivation of vanilla. Already about 3,500 hectares were under vanilla cultivation, most of which is the addition in the last two years and it is yet to reach yielding stage. By the year 2007, additional 10,000 acres would be brought under vanilla cultivation.

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