Spices exports rise 22% in 2012-13

India recorded an increase of 22 per cent in the export of spices and spice-based products during 2012-13. Total exports were 699,170 tonnes, against 575,270 tonnes in the previous financial year. In value terms, the increase was 14 per cent to Rs 11,171 crore compared to Rs 9,783.4 crore last year.

The achievement is 24 per cent higher in volume and 38 per cent higher in value terms than the target fixed by the Spices Board in the beginning of FY13. The Board's target was to export 566,000 tonnes of spices valued at Rs 8,200 crore.

The most striking performance was in the case of garlic, as total shipment increased 991 per cent to 24,000 tonnes. Its value recorded a whopping increase of 426 per cent to Rs 74.5 crore. In 2011-12, garlic exports were just 2,200 tonnes, valued at Rs 14.15 crore.

Fennel and coriander also recorded huge increase, both in volume and value terms, according to the latest data on exports from the Spices Board. Exports of fennel and coriander increased 80 per cent and 76 per cent, respectively.

A total of 14,575 tonnes of fennel, valued at Rs 114 crore were shipped as against 8,100 tonnes valued at Rs 73 crore in 2011-12. Likewise, 37,100 tonnes of coriander valued at Rs 211 crore were exported, as against 28,100 tonnes valued at Rs 164 crore in 2011-12.

The most serious setback was seen in the case of pepper and cardamom (small) during the last financial year. Pepper exports were down 40 per cent, while cardamom fell 82 per cent. The drop in value was 23 per cent in the case of pepper and 40 per cent in the case of cardamom.

Volume of pepper dropped to 16,000 tonnes valued at Rs 672.56 crore, against 26,700 tonnes valued at Rs 878 crore. In the case of cardamom, shipments of 2,250 tonnes valued at Rs 185 crore were done.