Spices exports rise 12%

Exports of spices and spice-based products registered a 12 per cent growth in volume at 223,050 tonnes during the April-August period this year, according to the latest estimates from the Spices Board of India. The exports in the corresponding period the previous year was at 198,985 tonnes.

Exports were valued at Rs 2,265.25 crore, a growth of 16 per cent, compared with Rs 1,950 crore in the corresponding period the previous year.

The board had set a target of 425,000 tonnes valued at Rs 4,350 crore ($1,025 million). In August alone, the total shipment of spices was 35,555 tonnes valued at Rs 417.28 crore.

Spice oils, oleoresins and mint products contributed 39 per cent of the total exports earnings. Chilli contributed 22 per cent, followed by cumin (9 per cent) and pepper (8 per cent).

Exports of mustard, aniseed, bishops weed, dill seed and poppy seed registered a 331 per cent increase in volume and 395 per cent growth in value during the review period, surpassing the targets set by the Spices Board. About 9,750 tonnes valued at Rs 37.51 crore were shipped in this segment as against 2,265 tonnes valued at Rs 7.57 crore in the same period last year.

Cumin registered a growth of 157 per cent in terms of quantity to 21,250 tonnes and 152 per cent in value to Rs 214.73 crore. Vanilla witnessed a 128 per cent increase in volume to 175 tonnes and 137 per cent increase in value to Rs 16.59 crore. Fenugreek and cardamom also registered a rise of 34 per cent and 41 per cent, respectively.
 

ADDING UP Exports from April 2007 to August 2008
Item	2007

2008

In tonnes

Rs crore

In tonnes

Rs crore

Pepper15,620226.4411,250190.65 Cardamom4905.516908.21 Chilli93,845513.4996,500509.17 Ginger4,78513.812,05013.6 Turmeric22,89069.2924,500108.46 Coriander10,82540.5514,25095.25 Garlic2851.744751.7 Mint Products9,745608.97,800529.69 Curry powder4,56543.086,00066.89 Spice oils/Oleoresins2,755229.893,500344.22 Source: Spices Board

However, exports of black pepper, ginger, nutmeg and mace, declined — both in terms of volume and value. In the case of pepper, a drop of 28 per cent was registered at 11,250 tonnes, valued at Rs 190.65 crore. The drop was mainly due to high prices.

Ginger exports dropped 57 per cent to 2,050 tonnes valued at Rs 13.60 crore against 4,785 tonnes valued at Rs 13.81 crore during April-August period of the last financial year. The exports of nutmeg and mace dropped 33 per cent in volume and 5 per cent.