Spices exports to cross $1 billion: Kurien

Spices exports from India will cross the $1-billion mark in the current financial year, according to VJ Kurien, chairman of the Spices Board.

Till December, the country had exported spices worth $830 million, despite the economic recession. Addressing a press conference here, Kurien said in the first half of the current year, the export sector was in troubled waters due to the economic downturn. But, exports of chilli, coriander, mint and value-added spices picked up later, he said.

In 2008-09, total exports touched 470,520 tonnes, valued at Rs 5,300.25 crore ($1.16 billion).

Out of the estimated trade of 850,000 tonnes (valued at $2.2 billion), India accounts for a 44 per cent share in quantity and 36 per cent in value terms. The board plans to achieve exports worth $10 billion by 2020 and plans to focus on non-traditional markets like Africa and Latin America. South Africa is expected to be an emerging market for Indian spices and an 11-member delegation from the country will attend the 10th world Spice Congress to be held in New Delhi on February 3-5.

At present, the demand from these countries is largely met through European re-sellers and the board plans to attract buyers from these countries to sourcing markets in India.

Kurien said the Spices Park at Puttady in Idukki district of Kerala would commence operation in the first week of March.

The park will be a processing hub for cardamom and pepper. Spices parks will also be coming up in Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, Jodhpur in Rajasthan, Ahmedabad in Gujarat and Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu. Chindwara Spices Park in Madhya Pradesh has already started operation.

Kurien said the board had initiated a new e-payment system for promotional schemes and subsidies to the growers. The Rs 240-crore pepper re-plantation scheme has evoked a good response in Idukki district. Close to 35,000 applications have been received under the scheme in the district.