The Hindu Business Line : ‘Spices export cannot be separated from domestic sales’

Mumbai, Jan. 30 Exports have without doubt been an important and integral part of our country’s spices sector, but the burgeoning domestic market cannot be lost sight of by staying overly dependent on overseas markets.

“In the years ahead, as the Indian market matures, we can no longer separate exports from domestic sales,” said Mr Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister of State for Commerce. In the course of his inaugural address to the 400-strong gathering of delegates (including 150 from abroad) at the World Spice Congress in Goa early this week, the minister expressed confidence that spices export would be able to reach a $10 billion target in 10 years. Commending the Spices Board for setting up a new company Flavourit Spices Trading Limited for promoting professional marketing and value-addition, he said substantial investments would be made to develop and promote this brand both in domestic and international markets. Hinting at immense opportunities for promoting spices production in non-traditional areas (spices have historically been perceived as Kerala-centric), Mr Ramesh said the north-east provided a wonderful natural zone for organic spices; and public-private partnership was the way forward to explore the opportunity.

The minister exhorted the industry to utilise traditional knowledge about the therapeutic values of spices to commercial products like anti-oxidants and anti-microbials. Sound science should inform consumption of spices. International participation is invited in the plan to set up an Indian Institute of Spice Technology, he said.

In his welcome speech the Spices Board Chairman, Mr. V. J. Kurian, expressed optimism that the country’s spices exports would reach the landmark figure of $1 billion (about Rs 4,000 crores) in fiscal 2007-08. He reaffirmed Spices Board’s commitment to quality and technology, the drivers of growth.

“Let me assure you that food safety is at the top of our agenda,” he said. He referred to various initiatives taken by the Board to promote the sector, like setting up of ‘spices park’ etc.

The two-day conference had Indian and international experts exchanging notes on a wide variety of topics including harmonization of food laws, analytical methods, food legislation in India, global food sector growth trends and related issues.

Current and emerging issues such as research priorities to fight global warming that are likely to impact the spices sector were discussed.

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