Spice exports decline 1.3% in April-October

Exports of spices fell 1.3 per cent in volume and 1.6 per cent in value during the April-October period of the current financial year.

According to the latest estimates of Spices Board, total exports in the period were 280,885 tonnes valued at Rs 3,031.59 crore against 284,560 tonnes valued at 3,080.25 crore in the same period last year.

Pepper exports suffered a serious setback as the figures dropped to 11,500 tonnes valued at Rs 179.16 crore as against 14,750 tonnes valued at Rs 246. 70 crore in the same period last year. Export of chilli also declined to 100,500 tonnes valued at Rs 706.50 crore as against 121,500 tonnes valued at Rs 660.17 crore.

Coriander exports had a better performance at 25,250 tonnes valued at Rs 128.12 crore against 17,100 tonnes valued at Rs 116.80 crore. Curry powder exports improved slightly, with 8,750 tonnes exported compared with 8,500 tonnes exported last year. Whereas export of spice oils and oleoresins declined to 3,825 tonnes valued at Rs 401.06 crore from 4,610 tonnes valued at Rs 463.84 crore.

India had exported 470,520 tonnes of spices valued at Rs 5,300.25 crore in 2008-09 as against 444,250 tonnes valued at Rs 4,435.50 crore in 2007-08. The Spices Board had set a target of 435,000 tonnes valued at Rs 4500 crore for 2009-10 in the midst of economic recession and slowdown in demand for spices and spice-based products especially from EU nations.