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Spices exports cross $1 billion

Kochi: India’s spices export has crossed $1 billion in 2007-08 registering an increase of 19 per cent in volume, 24 per cent in rupee value and 39 per cent in dollar terms.

During the year, a total of 4,44,250 tonnes of spices and spice products valued at Rs.4,435.50 crore ($101.80 million) were exported from the country as against 3,73,750 tonnes valued at Rs.3,575.75 crore ($792.95 million) the previous year.

V.J. Kurien, Chairman, Spices Board, said at a press meet that the spices export in 2007-08 had also far exceeded the target fixed for the year both in volume and value terms.

Against the target of 3,80,000 tonnes valued at Rs.3,600 crore ($875 million) fixed for the year, the achievement was 117 per cent in volume, 123 per cent in rupee value and 126 per cent in dollar value.

“The board has fixed an export target of $1.2 billion for the year 2008-09 and we are optimistic to sustain the same growth,” he added.

During 2007-08, the export of pepper, chilli, seed spices like coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek and other seeds had shown substantial growth both in volume and value as compared to last year. The export of value-added products like curry powder, mint products and spice oils and oleoresins had also shown impressive growth during the period.

However, export of some of the items like cardamom (large) ginger, turmeric, celery, garlic and nutmeg and mace fell short of last year’s performance. For vanilla, because of competitive price advantage, the export volume increased substantially by 60 per cent in 2007-08. However, the value decreased by 11 per cent due to low unit value when compared to last year.

The export of chilli from India reached an all-time high of 2,09,000 tonnes valued at Rs.1,097.50 crore accounting for a share of 47 per cent in volume and 25 per cent in value of the total export of spices and spice products from the country.

The stringent quality measures implemented by the Spices Board made Indian chilli more acceptable in the international market. Moreover, the lower output by major producers like China, Pakistan also helped India to achieve the performance, Mr. Kurien said, adding that the board had also suggested e-auction in chilli at Guntur to fetch better prices for farmers.

The export of ginger declined both in terms of quantity and value as compared to 2006-07. The decline was 11 per cent in volume and 30 per cent in value.

The domestic price of ginger, which was in the range of Rs.45 to Rs.65 per kg in 2006-07, went up to Rs. 80 per kg in March 2008. The higher prices made Indian ginger uncompetitive in the international market.

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