Spice traders and exporters form single lobby group

Hitherto working separately, they've now started an industry body to speak in one voice with the govt on policy matters and to mitigate problems like adulteration

Several quality issues, such as adulteration in jeera and chilli, have been raised during the past two years by countries importing spices from India. As a result, Indian trade has taken a huge hit and the and spice industry has suffered losses. In order to tackle these problems within the industry and to make a strong case before the government, spice traders and exporters have come together to form a new body called 'Seed and Spice Stakeholder Association' (SSSA).

With over 300 trader- and exporter-members, the new association will talk with state and union governments to solve policy-level issues and discuss the difficulties the industry is facing in international trade.

"The basic concept behind the formation of this association is to bring all the stakeholders of the spice industry under one roof. Thus far, traders and exporter were working separately to address the issues and were not associated with each other. Therefore, the desired results were not attained. With this new association we will speak in one strong voice with the government," said Ashwin Nayak, a director on the board of SSSA.

Since the last couple of years, several complaints for quality and sub-standard supply of spices have been raised by importing countries and many are tightening the rules for inward shipment of edible items, which need to be understood by the Indian trade fraternity.

"Adulteration is the biggest issue at this time. Some traders and exporters supply sub-standard merchandise in the international market, hurts the entire industry in the process. We want to create a lobby against adulteration. It is our responsibility to deliver clean products," said Yogesh Mehta, a trustee of SSSA.

According to industry players present at the meeting, the government has not lent an ear to their representations and had made policies without taking any suggestions from the industry.

Mehta said, "In order to make our voice strong before the government, it is necessary to come together. We have to tell the government what is good for us and what is not helping trade."

He suggested that in order to communicate with the government, SSSA should appoint a retired government official as a liaison officer. 

At the first meeting organised in Mehsana, Gujarat, over 300 traders and exporters from that and other states, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra were present. The association is planning to open four regional offices in Mumbai, Kochi, Kolkata and Delhi. The head office will be in Ahmedabad.

SSSA will have five trustees who will guide a 20-member strong managing committee on various issues. All traders and exporters have agreed to join the association for the betterment of the industry.