Spices exports rose 27 % in Apr-Dec

Spice export  has achieved a growth of 41% in terms of rupee during April-December 2013. This period witnessed a total export of 571,680 tonnes of spices and spice products valued at Rs 9,433 crore as against 449,926 tonnes valued at  Rs 6696 crore ($ 1,232 million) during April-December2012. An increase of 27% has been registered, both in terms of volume and dollar terms of value. "The steady growth of spice exports reiterates the unshaken global demand for Indian spices. The conspicuous export performance of Mint, Chilly, value added products and seed spices points to a promising future for the Indian spice industry,"  said A Jayathilak,  Chairman, Spices Board India. Currently 92% of the target in terms of volume and 91% in terms of value, set for spices exports during FY 2013-14 has been achieved.

Addressing the media he said that  seed spice basket with 78%  increase in volume and 89% in value when compared with April-December 2012. During the period, a total volume of 193,625 tons of seed spices valued at  Rs 1,906 crore has been exported, compared to 109,067 tons valued at Rs 1,008 crore in the previous year. Amongst the seed spices, cumin registered a prominent increase of 89%  in volume and 83%  in value with a total export volume of 96,500 tons valued at Rs 1,282 crore. Coriander also made a notable growth of 48% in volume and 120% in value. A total volume of 34,000 tons of coriander valued Rs 272 crore were exported during this period. Fenugreek, Celery and other seed spices also showed a similar trend in the export front.

Mint and mint products, which includes mint oils, menthol and menthol crystals, topped the item wise list, in terms of value, with an export turnover of Rs 2,202 crore and 17,850 tonnes in volume, marking  an increase of 94%  in volume and 39per cent  in value. In April- December 2012 the exports of mint and mint products stood at 9,210 tonnes valued Rs 1,582 crore. Continuing the consistent performance, Chilli stood behind mint, netting foreign exchange worth Rs 1,846 crore. In terms of total volume of product exported, chilli stood first with a whopping 205,500 tons. In the corresponding period the previous year, chilli earned Rs 1,590 crore  with an export volume of 197,752 tonnes.

Value added products increased 46%
Value added products like spice oils and oleoresins registered a growth of 46%  in volume and 37%  in value. During the period 8665 tons of spice oils and oleoresins valued at Rs 1,242 crore have been exported. Curry powder/paste followed suit with a 44%  increase in volume and 53%  increase in value. Turmeric marked an increase of 17% and 45%  in volume and value of exports, respectively. During April – December2013, a total volume of 58,000 tons of turmeric valued Rs.464 crore has been exported as against 49,526 tonnes valued Rs 319 crore during the last year.

Pepper and cardamom (small)  marked an increase of 41% and 23% respectively in value, with a corresponding export volume of 15,350 tonnes and 2080 tonnes. During April-December 2013 the exports of pepper and cardamom(small) were valued at Rs 651 crore and Rs 164 crore respectively as against Rs 462 crore and Rs 134 crore of the previous year.

Spices such as pepper, cardamom (small), chilli, turmeric, coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, celery, nutmeg and mace and other seed spices have registered an upsurge in both volume and value. However, ginger and garlic marked an increase in value only. Cardamom (large) had shown decrease both in terms of volume and value as compared to April-December 2012, he said.