The Hindu Business Line : Spices exports gain in value, volume

Kochi, Aug 30 During April-July 2008, export of all major spices from the country have shown a steady growth both in terms of quantity and value as compared to the corresponding period of last year.

The exceptions were pepper, ginger, nutmeg, mace and mint products which have shown a decreasing trend in quantity and value. In the case of celery and a few miscellaneous spices the increase was restricted to value alone, the Spices Board has said.

Spices exports rose by 15 per cent during the period to 1,85,255 tonnes (1,61,577 tonnes) while the value realisation increased by 20 per cent to Rs 1,835 crore (Rs 1,525 crore). The dollar returns rose by 17 per cent to $437 million ($372 million). Spice oils and oleoresins constituted a significant component of the export basket at 38 per cent followed by chilli with 23 per cent, cumin with 10 per cent, pepper with nine per cent and turmeric with five per cent.

Pepper exports fall

Export of pepper fell to 9,500 tonnes (12,050 tonne) valued at Rs 160 crore (Rs 173 crore). Though the average export price of pepper had gone up from Rs 143 to Rs 169 a kg, the slump in quantity resulted in an overall fall in export earnings. The country exported 80,500 tonnes (75,525 tonnes) of chilli valued at Rs 413 crore (Rs 416 crore) during the period. The traditional buyers of Indian chilli such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka continued to source their chilli imports from India. Pakistan was also a major buyer of Indian chillies this season. The mandatory quality testing Indian chilli and chilli products by the Spices Board has also helped in achieving the higher levels of export, said a press release.

Coriander exports up

The export of coriander seeds rose to 12,500 tonnes (9,085 tonnes) valued at Rs 81.86 crore (Rs 33.20 crore). The sharp rise in value was primarily due to a virtual doubling of the unit value realisation from Rs 36 last year to Rs 65 per kg this year. Cumin seed exports rose mainly on account of major jump in the quantum of exports from 5,600 tonnes to 17,750 tonnes realising Rs 174 crore (Rs 57 crore). The demand for Indian cumin seeds rose in the international markets on account of crop failure reports from other producing countries like Syria, Turkey and Iran.

Value-added products

The export of value-added products such as curry powder, spice oils and oleoresins has shown a substantial increase in both quantity and value. During April-Jul 2008, a total quantity of 4,650 tonnes (3,675 tonnes) of curry powder valued Rs.52.90 crore (Rs 33.83 crore) has been exported. The export of spice oils and oleoresins has been at 2,950 tonnes (2,210 tonnes) valued Rs 289.17 crore (Rs 186.53 crore).

Against an spices export target of 4,25,000 tonnes valued at Rs 4,350 crore ($1,025 million) for the year, the achievement till July has been 1,85,255 tonnes valued Rs 1,835.29 crore ($437.10 million). Thus almost 44 per cent of the quantum and 42 per cent of the rupee realisation and 43 per cent of dollar returns have been achieved so far.

Related Stories:
Pepper exports fetch Rs 213 cr more in 2007-08
Spices exports increase to Rs 3,155 cr in April-Dec 2007

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