The Hindu Business Line : Spices exports revenue rises 36% in 2006-07

Key drivers
Pepper exports totalled 28,750 tonnes valued at Rs 306.20 crore
Chilli exports were 1,48,500 tonnes valued at Rs 807.75 crore
Cumin exports totalled 26,000 tonnes valued at Rs 201.50 crore

Kochi May 17 Exports of spices from the country fetched a revenue of Rs 3,575.75 crore through shipment of 3,73,750 tonnes during 2006-07 against the previous earnings of Rs 2,627.62 crore and 3,50,363 tonnes in volume.

The achievement in 2006-07 is higher by 36 per cent in terms of value and seven per cent in volume. In terms of dollar, it is $792.95 million, Mr V.J. Kurian, Chairman, Spices Board, said at a press meet.

The export target fixed for 2006-07 was 3,06,000 tonnes valued at Rs 2,500 crore and this had exceeded by 22 per cent in terms of volume and 43 per cent in terms of value.

Pepper, chilli and cumin are the significant contributors, which almost doubled its performance during the year compared to last year, he added.

Pepper export

Export of pepper totalled 28,750 tonnes valued at Rs 306.20 crore during 2006-07 against 17,363 tonnes valued at Rs 150.95 crore in 2005-06. The f.o.b unit value has also increased from Rs 86.94 to Rs 106.50 per kg during the year.

The US, the single largest market for pepper, imported 13,886 tonnes of pepper from India in 2006-07 against 6,596 tonnes in 2005-06. Other major markets were the UK, Germany, Italy, Canada and Australia.

According to Mr Kurian, chilli exports were 1,48,500 tonnes valued at Rs 807.75 crore against 1,13,174 tonnes valued at Rs 403.01 crore. The unit value realisation has increased from Rs 36 to Rs 54 per kg in the same period. Exports increased by 31 per cent in volume in spite of increase in price.

Short supply

It is reported that the production in China was less than previous year. This

resulted in a short supply in the international market, which in turn made chilli much hotter in the international market. The export figures show that China has even imported around 900 tonnes of chilli from India during 2006-07, he said.

During 2006-07, exports of cumin totalled 26,000 tonnes valued at Rs 201.50 crore against 12,879 tonnes valued at Rs 98.19 crore in 2005-06. Export of cumin to Vietnam increased substantially from 215 tonnes to 4,112 tonnes.

Exports to the US, UK, UAE and Bangladesh also showed significant increase during the year.

Export of value-added spices also showed an increase of 38 per cent in terms of value. It is estimated that in 2006-07, value added spices worth of Rs 2,093 crore have been exported against Rs 1,512 crore in 2005-06. Among the valued added spices, curry powder, spice oils and oleoresins and mint products had together shown an increase of 5 per cent in quantity and 20 per cent in value compared to last year.

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