Spices export up 20% in November

India's spices export in November jumped 20 per cent to 39,485 tonnes from 32,985 tonnes a year ago, according to a release by the Spices Board today.

Export earnings rose 7 per cent on year to Rs 464 crore from Rs 435 crore.

In dollar terms, export earning rose 12 per cent to $99.67 million from $88.79 million.

The spurt in exports was driven by chilli, coriander, small variety cardamom, garlic, ginger, curry powder and spice oil and oleoresins.

Chilli exports, which contributed the bulk of the India's spices export volume, rose 56 per cent on year to 17,500 tonnes from 11,250 tonnes.

Export earning from chilli rose 59 per cent on year to Rs 121 crore.

Pepper export, however, fell 29 per cent on year to 1,500 tonnes from 2,100 tonnes, while export earning from pepper slipped 27 per cent to Rs 25.5 crore from Rs 34.7 crore.

Turmeric exports fell 33 per cent on year to 3,000 tonnes from 4,500 tonnes, while export earning rose 14 per cent to Rs 26.2 crore from Rs 22.9 crore.

Average income from turmeric export rising to Rs 87.50 a kg from Rs 51 is the key trigger for rise in export earning despite fall in volume.

Jeera volume fell 11 per cent to 4,000 tonnes from 4,500 tonnes, while earning slipped to Rs 45.4 crore from Rs 50.5 crore.

The volume of small variety cardamom zoomed 450 per cent on year to 275 tonnes from 50 tonnes, while export earning gained 520 per cent to Rs 21.4 crore from Rs 3.45 crore.

Average earning from cardamom exports rose to Rs 780 a kg from Rs 690.85.

Spices Board targets to export 435,000 tonnes — worth Rs 4,500 crore — in 2009-10 (April-March) compared with 470,500 tonnes — worth Rs 5,300 crore — a year ago. The board had fixed a lower target due to recession in major export destinations such as the US and Europe.