The Hindu Business Line : Garlic exports gallop on access to Pak, Bangla

IF what the famous French Chef X Marcel Boulestin (1878-1943) has said several decades ago is translated into reality in the Indo-Pakistan context, the recent upsurge in shipments of garlic to our neighbourhood should accelerate the peace process between the neighbours.

The French chef was quoted as saying: "It is not really an exaggeration to say that peace and happiness begin, geographically, where garlic is used in cooking." The increased intake of Indian garlic by Pakistan, of late, should, therefore, hopefully do this wonder - "a garlic magic"!

Garlic (Alltum sattvum) a member of the Lily family and believed to have originated in the Siberian region of Central Asia was revered by both the ancient Egyptians and the Chinese, which was probably because of its medicinal values.

Growing awareness about its medicinal qualities as "a remedy for a wide variety of conditions and diseases coupled with its use as a good flavouring agent and condiment has pushed up its demand in the world market." In fact, its per capita consumption in the US is one of the highest, according to trading sources.

Export of garlic to Pakistan was virtually nil after 1998-99 when 104.97 tonnes of the commodity valued at Rs 22.82 lakh was exported.

Presumably because of the improvement in relations, Islamabad has removed the restrictions on import of garlic and this has now reflected in the export of garlic during April-July 2005. The total export has soared to 7,300 tonnes during this period as against 385 tonnes during April-July 2004.

Similarly Bangladesh, too, has lifted the restrictions on import of Indian garlic. Following the imposition of restrictions by Dhaka, the export of garlic to that country dropped to 381.20 tonnes in 2002-03 from 10,046.50 tonnes in 2000-01.

India is the third largest producer of garlic after China and South Korea. They are the major competitors of India in the global market. China tops in production with over 60 per cent of the world output. Indian production in 2003-04 was 4,36,130 tonnes from a total area of 1,07,150 hectare.

Garlic exports, which began in 1960-61with 2,030 tonnes valued at Rs 11.29 lakh at a unit value of Rs 0.56 a kg, had gone up to 11,087 tonnes valued at Rs 12.75 crore in 2000-01. However, it fell to 3,500 tonnes worth Rs 13.21 crore in 2003-04 and witnessed a further drop to 2,250 tonnes valued at Rs 5.60 crore last fiscal as against the set target of 4,000 tonnes.

Exports so far have more than doubled the target of 3,000 tonnes for the current fiscal.

Spices exports down

Meanwhile, export of spices during April-July 2005 declined by Rs 101.49 crore in value and 15,996 tonnes in quantity. The total exports during this period stood at 1,13,854 tonnes valued at Rs 695.09 crore as against 1,29,850 tonnes worth at Rs 796.58 crore in April-July 2004-05.

Drop in chilli, coriander, cumin, celery, fennel, other seeds, vanilla, mint products etc had led to the over all decline, Mr S. Kannan, Director, Marketing, Spices Board told Business Line.

Among the value-added products spice oil and oleoresins continued to maintain its upward trend while others have declined. Turmeric and garlic had shown a significant rise during the period, he added.

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Garlic exports gallop on access to Pak, Bangla