The Hindu Business Line : Low global prices lead to rise in ginger imports

Imports of spices during the April-November 2006 period have shown substantial increase over the same period last year, mainly on the competitive prices for most of the items in the world market.

Total imports

Total imports during the period stood at 62,470 tonnes, valued at Rs 395.19 crore, against 56,352 tonnes worth Rs 335.08 crore earlier, recording an increase of 6,118 tonnes in volume and Rs 60.11 crore in value.

There has been a significant rise in the imports of ginger (fresh/dry), turmeric, poppy seed, cassia, star anise and other spices.

In most cases, the low unit value seems to have paved the way for increased imports, official sources told Business Line.

A total quantity of 13,500 tonnes of ginger fresh/dry valued at Rs 15.25 crore was imported, compared to 10,810 tonnes valued at Rs 28.52 crore earlier.

The sharp fall in unit value of this commodity prompted traders and industry to opt for imports.

Fall in unit value

Against unit value of Rs 26.38 a kg in April-November 2005, the commodity was available at Rs 11.30.

This phenomenon forced several farmers in Karnataka to skip harvesting even for seeds, sources said.

The low prices are said to have compelled them to shift to other crops in 2007.Short supply of star anise, cassia, poppy seed, chilli/paprika and other spices such as aniseed, cambodge, asafoetida and herbal spices pushed up imports despite a rise in the unit value in the international market.

Meanwhile, the high prices in the world market for cloves resulted in a drop in imports to 3,550 tonnes valued at Rs 63.73 crore from 4,295 tonnes valued at Rs 61.87 crore earlier.

The unit value of this commodity shot up to Rs 179.52 a kg in the world market, from Rs 144.32 in 2005.

Pepper imports

Imports of pepper also saw an increase to 13,100 tonnes valued at Rs 108.50 crore from 12,700 tonnes valued at Rs 76.97 crore, despite a rise in the unit value to Rs 82.83 a kg (Rs 60.61).

Imports of cassia increased to 7,650 tonnes valued at Rs 22.95 crore, from 5,675 tonnes valued at Rs 16.13 crore, despite increase in unit value.

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