The Hindu Business Line : Spices import drops marginally in Apr-Aug

Kochi, Nov. 2 Imports of spices during April-August 2007 declined marginally due to increase in unit prices of several commodities and increased availability of others at competitive prices indigenously.

However, drop in international prices of cardamom (small) pushed up imports during the period to 245 tonnes valued at Rs 2.20 crore from 145 tonnes worth Rs 1.34 crore in the corresponding period last fiscal. The unit price of this commodity dropped to Rs 89.97 a kg from Rs 92.69 a kg.

At the same time, there is a reported decline in its production in the country and consequent rise in prices. The average price remained above Rs 400 a kg at the auctions held in the country so far during the current season.

BLACK PEPPER

Imports of black pepper dropped to 6,500 tonnes valued at Rs 90.42 crore from 8,700 tonnes valued at Rs 65.46 crore in April-August 2006. The decline trading sources attributed to the sharp increase in unit value of the commodity in other origins to Rs 139.10 a kg which is almost at par with the Indian parity. Last year, during the same period, the unit value of imported pepper was Rs 75.24 a kg.

Industry sources told Business Line that the drop in indigenous availability of black pepper in the country coupled with high prices in the domestic market there could be more imports in the coming monthsGlobal availability of black pepper is also estimated to be lower by 55,000 tonnes in 2008 at 1.9 lakh tonnes as against the projected requirement of 2.45 lakh tonnes.

CHILLI DOWN

Reported drop in output in other producing countries and the consequent increase in unit value pushed down the imports of chilli/paprika to 185 tonnes from 757 tonnes in April-August last year. The unit value of it went up to Rs 73.68 a kg from Rs 66.89 a kg. On the other hand, imports of ginger fresh/dry shot up to 9,500 tonnes in April-August this year valued at Rs 12.38 crore from 5,139 tonnes worth Rs 7.38 crore.

The reason attributed to this increase is short supply in the country and the decline in unit value abroad.

However, despite decline in unit value in the overseas markets, import of turmeric dropped to 2,725 tonnes from 3,404 tonnes in April-August last due to its availability indigenously, they said.

The short supply of cumin black/white has led to sharp increase in its imports to 1,405 tonnes during April-August 2007 from 119 tonnes in the same period last year despite steep rise in unit value to Rs 85.92 a kg from Rs 71.66 a kg in the corresponding period last year.

Poppy, clove

At the same time, despite increase in unit value of poppy seed, import of this commodity remained almost at previous year's level. The unit value of cumin imported stood at Rs 57.61 a kg as against Rs 43.79 in the same period last year. The country imported 3,050 tonnes this year as against 3,072 tonnes.

The decline in the prices of clove during the period under report pushed up its imports to 2,950 tonnes from 2,511 tonnes last year. The unit value of this commodity declined to Rs 126.46 a kg from Rs 184.43 a kg. The output in other producing countries is reported to be lower and hence an increase in price is likely, they said.

The sharp rise in the price of nutmeg in the international market brought down its the imports of it to 450 tonnes from 543 tonnes in April-August last year. The unit value shot up to Rs 166.89 a kg from Rs 138.37 a kg in April-August last year.

Mace arrivals

Similarly, imports of mace also fell following increase in its price in the world market. Its arrivals of this commodity fell to 105 tonnes from 316 tonnes in April-August last year. The unit price shot up to Rs 305.24 a kg from Rs 246.09 a kg last year.

Meanwhile, sharp fall in the unit value of other spices to Rs 73.05 a kg from Rs 207.55 last year pushed up its imports of it to 2,950 tonnes from 2,551 tonnes.

Despite sharp increase in the unit value of spice oils and oleoresins to Rs 744 a kg from Rs 549.54, its imports moved up marginally to 125 tonnes from 122 tonnes in April-August last year.

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