Share In Japan Spice Market Fluctuating
India enjoyed 24.3 per cent share in the Japanese spice market in 1990 which declined to 16.8 per cent in 1993. It slightly improved its position in 1994 by grabbing a higher share of 17.5 per cent.
The growth of the Japanese spice market has been attributed towards the diversification of culinary habits, which have become familiar with and attracted towards spicy foods.
Considering the growing interest of natural and health foods as a positive indicator of higher demand for spices in Japan, India has called on exporters to take advantage of this situation by supplying high quality spices to this quality conscious market.
A profile on the Japanese spice market in the planter's chronicle has forecast bright prospects for Indian spice exporters. It said, If the spice makers are able to develop products in response to the needs of this new culinary era, the possibilities for future market are quite good.
Japanese spice imports increased from 1993 onwards due to higher intake of chillies and ginger. India has an insignificant share in this area.
Though India maintained third position among the major suppliers and China was first, India has failed to tap the growing chilly and ginger market.
India tops the suppliers of cardamom to Japan with 66 per cent market share, which accounted for Rs 4.08 crore in 1994-95. Turmeric is other area in which India holds sway with 70 per cent market share. It supplied 2150 mt of turmeric to Japan out of the total import of 3129 mt in 1995. China is the only other supplier.
The highest money earning spices for India are sophisticated value added spices