Commodity Online
KOCHI: India's spices export is zooming. Exports of spices and spice products from the country during April-June 2008 have registered an increase of 23 per cent in terms of quantity and 28 per cent in terms of Rupee value. In Dollar terms the increase is 26 per cent.

According to figures released by the Spices Board, the cumulative figures for April -June 2008 is estimated at 1,48,550 tonnes valued at Rs.1375.05 Crores (US $ 329.60 million) as against 1,21,180 tonnes valued at Rs.1073.50 crores (US $ 260.57 million) in corresponding period last year. Spice oils and oleoresins including mint products contributed 35% of the total export earnings. Chilli contributed 24 per cent followed by cumin 11 per cent, Pepper nine per cent and Turmeric five per cent.

Exports during June 2008 also registered increase with an export of 44,690 tonnes of spices valued Rs.446.73 crores (104.33 million US $) as against 38,960 tonnes valued Rs.382.77 crores (93.90 million US $) in June 2007. The major items exported during June 2008 are Chilli, Cumin, Mint products, Spice Oils & Oleoresins, Pepper and Coriander.

During Apr-June 2008, the export of Cardamom (Large), chilli, turmeric, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, garlic, other miscellaneous seeds, vanilla, curry powder, spice oils & oleoresins and mint products are higher in terms of both quantity and value as compared to the same period of last year. In the case of export of spices like Pepper, Cardamom (Small), celery and other miscellaneous spices have shown increase in value terms only. However, export of ginger, fennel and nutmeg & mace have declined both in terms of quantity and value as compared to last year.

During April-June 2008, a quantity of 7,550 tonnes of pepper valued Rs.126.23 crores was exported as against 8,600 tonnes valued Rs.121.58 crores of last year. The average export price of Pepper has gone up from Rs.141.37 per kg in 2007 to Rs.167.19 per kg in 2008.

During the period, 67,000 tonnes of chilli valued Rs.333.53 crores was exported as against 57,625 tonnes valued Rs.321.36 crores of last year, registering an increase of 16 per cent in quantity and four per cent in value terms. The traditional buyers of Indian chilli viz. Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka continued their buying this year also. In addition to this, Pakistan was also very active in the market. The mandatory quality testing of chilli and chilli products by the Board has also helped India to achieve this higher level of export in chilli.

The export of Coriander seed during April-June 2008 has been 10,000 tonnes valued Rs.62.49 crores as against 6,525 tonnes valued Rs.23.48 crores of last year registering an increase of 166 per cent in value. The export of Cumin Seed during April-Jun 2008 has increased considerably and the export has been 15,000 tonnes valued Rs.145.82 crores as against 3,950 tonnes valued Rs.41.27 crores. The export of Cumin has shown an increase of 280 per cent in quantity and 253 per cent in value terms as compared to last year. The reported crop failure in other major producing countries viz. Syria, Turkey and Iran helped India to achieve this higher level of export in Cumin.

The export of value added products like Curry powder, spice oils & oleoresins and mint products have shown substantial increase both in terms of quantity and value as compared to last year. During April-June 2008, a total quantity of 3,375 tonnes of curry powder valued Rs.36.27 crores has been exported as against 2,545 tonnes valued Rs.23.53 crores of last year. During April-May, the export of spice oils and oleoresins has been 2,150 tonnes valued Rs.204.61 crores as against 1,605 tonnes valued Rs.131.35 crores of last year.

Against the export target of 425,000 tonnes valued Rs.4,350.00 crores (US$ 1025.00) for the year, the achievement of 148,550 tonnes valued Rs.1375.05 crores (US$ 329.60 million) up to June 2008 is 35 per cent in quantity and 32 per cent in both dollar and rupee terms of value.

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