`Kerala cardamom production to more than double by 2012`

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, he said that Rs 120 crore would be spent for re-planting cardamom groves during the current Five-Year Plan. Of this, Rs 50 crore would be earmarked for Kerala since it is the largest producer of the spice. More facilities for grading and processing of cardamom will also be added.

 

However, the volume of export of cardamom has declined by 23 per cent since last year. During 2007-08, 500 tonnes of cardamom valued at Rs 24.75 crore has been shipped against 650 tonnes valued at Rs 22.36 crore in 2006-07.

Decline in production in Guatemala which controls more than 90 per cent of the global trade has resulted in sharp increase in the prices of cardamom.

The average spot price of cardamom (Indian extra bold variety) had gone up from $9.62 a kg in 2006-07 to $15.45 in the last financial year. The major markets of Indian cardamom are Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Japan and the UK.

He also said that a separate marketing strategy would be evolved to enhance exports to Japan where the demand for Indian cardamom is high. A major chunk of the increased production would be exported to Japan.

Kurien added that apart from Kerala, spices parks would be set up in Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

In Kerala, the proposed park would be set up in the Idukki district and he hoped that the state government would acquire land for the park soon. Detailing the export performance during 2007-08, he said that total spices export crossed the $1 billion mark.

During the year, India exported 444,250 tonnes of spices and spice-based products valued at Rs 4,435.50 crore as against 373,750 tonnes valued at Rs 3,575.75 crore in the previous year.