Spices export gains flavour on higher demand

Increased demand for Indian spices in the global market has boosted spice exports during April to July this year.

The exports registered a 10 per cent growth in quantity, 11 per cent in rupee terms and 6 per cent in dollar terms of value during April-July.

Export of all major spices such as pepper, chilli, ginger, turmeric, seed spices and value-added products has marked an outstanding growth both in terms of value and quantity. “We look forward to a record export for the financial year with prominence to value-added products in the export basket,” A Jayathilak, Chairman, Spices Board said.

Chilli and mint continued to be the largest foreign exchange earners in the export basket. A total of 2,71,280 tonnes of spices and spice products valued ₹4,339 crore has been exported as against 2,46,060 tonnes valued ₹3,892.72 crore during the corresponding period last year.

Pepper has regained its historic demand with an increase of 10 per cent in quantity and 41 per cent in value, a total quantity of 6,450 tonnes valued ₹332.46 crore have been exported.

Ginger, overcoming its slowdown trends in the previous years, has marked an increase of 47 per cent in quantity and 23 per cent in value. A total of 6,150 tonnes valued at ₹65.66 crore have been exported.

Chilli, the most demanded spice, registered an increase of six per cent in quantity and 10 per cent in value. A total of 99,000 tonnes valued at ₹938.80 crore have been exported.

The seed spices basket had a dream run during April- July with coriander, cumin, and fennel manifesting high performance.

During the period, a total quantity of 3,975 tonnes of spice oils and oleoresins valued ₹543.95 crore were exported against 3,273 tonnes valued ₹488.42 crore of the previous year.

In the case of value-added products, 7,050 tonnes of curry powder/paste valued at ₹133.23 crore were exported against 6,190 tonnes valued at ₹99.44 crore last year.

The export of cardamom (small) and cardamom (large) had shown an increase in terms of value only.

Compared to the export target of 7,55,000 tonnes valued ₹12,304.90 crore for 2014-15, achievement for April-July this year would sum up to a total of 36 per cent in terms of quantity and 35 per cent in rupee and 36 per cent in dollar terms of value.

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