Govt Considering Branding Of Spices To Boost Exports

The centre was considering the introduction of branded spices in order to enable Indian products to compete better in the international market, union minister of state for commerce, B B Ramaiah said yesterday.

It has come to the notice of the commerce ministry that commodities like spices carrying brand names fared better in the international market, the minister told a press conference here.

He added that the Spices Board and other agencies would have to ensure that spices carrying brand names were better than non-branded products in all respects. The government would give all support to such brands, he said.The minister also stressed the need to make value-added products like chilly oil and chilly powder.

 

Export of spices touched Rs. 1,180 crore last year whereas the target was only Rs.824 crore. During the previous year, exports were worth Rs.785 crore. The next year's target was Rs 1,200 crore, the minister said. Regarding marine products, Ramaiah said that while the target was Rs.3,850 crore, the actual export turnover was Rs.4,085 crore. The target had been exceeded inspite of restrictions by the United States and the Supreme Court ban on aquaculture.