Last Updated : 19 January 2009 at 20:05 IST

Spices export rises 15% in value, 3% in quantity

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Commodity Online
KOCHI: The spices export during April-December 2008 is estimated as 3,34,150 tonnes valued Rs.3810.95 crores (860.40 million US $) as against 3,25,320 tonnes valued Rs.3320.00 crores (821.45 million US $) in the corresponding period of the last financial year. Compared to last year, the export has shown an increase of 15% in rupee value an 3% in quantity. In dollar terms, the increase is 5%, according to data released by Spices Board.

Spice oils and oleoresins including mint products contributed 42% of the total export earnings. Chilli contributed 21% followed by pepper 8%, cumin 8% and turmeric 5%.

During April-December 2008, export of most of the major spices have shown an increasing trend both in terms of quantity and value as compared to the same period of last year. However, exports of Pepper and Chilli have declined both in terms of quantity and value as compared to last year. During the period, export of Ginger and Mint Products have declined in quantity only.

During April-December 2008, the export of Pepper from India has been 19,100 tonnes valued Rs.317.77 crores as against 27,580 tonnes valued Rs.400.20 crores of last year. The average export price of Pepper has gone up from Rs.145.11 per kg in 2007 to Rs.166.37 per kg in 2008. The low inventory in the major international markets due to the economic recession is reported to be the major reason for the decline in exports.

During the period, India has exported 1,41,000 tonnes of Chilli and Chilli products valued Rs.793.18 crores as against 1,49,755 tonnes valued Rs.807.03 crores of last year. The traditional buyers of Indian chilli viz. Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka continued their buying this year also. It is expected that, the export will pick up in the coming months as the new crop comes to market.

The export of seed spices have shown an increasing trend both the quantity and value as compared to the last year. The export of coriander seed during April-December 2008 has been 19,600 tonnes valued Rs.137.23 crores as against 19,150 tonnes valued Rs.77.69 crores of last year registering an increase of 77% in value. The unit value of export has gone up from Rs.40.57/kg. in 2007 to Rs.70.01/kg. in 2008.

The export of Cumin seed during April-December 2008 has increased considerably and the export has been 28,500 tonnes valued Rs.296.13 crores as against 18,885 tonnes valued Rs.199.09 crores. The export of cumin upto December 2008 is an all time record both in terms of quantity and value. The export of Cumin has shown an increase of 51% in quantity and 49% in value terms as compared to last year. The reported crop failure in other major producing countries viz. Syria, Turkey and Iran has helped India to achieve this substantial increase in the export of cumin.

The export of value added products like Curry powder and spice oils & oleoresins have also shown substantial increase both in terms of quantity and value as compared to last year. During April-December 2008, a total quantity of 10,500 tonnes of curry powder and masalas valued Rs.124.45 crores has been exported as against 8,375 tonnes valued Rs.81.10 crores of last year. During April-December 2008, the export of spice oils and oleoresins has been 5,550 tonnes valued Rs.574.23 crores as against 4,815 tonnes valued Rs.404.04 crores of last years registering an increase of 42% in value and 15% in volume.

Against the export target of 4,25,000 tonnes valued Rs.4,350.00 croes (US$ 1025.00) for the year, the achievement of 3,34,150 tonnes valued Rs.3810.95 crores (US$ 860.40 million) up to December 2008 is 79% in quantity, 88% in rupee value and 84% in dollar terms of value. The export of spices like Cumin, Fenugreek, Nutmeg & Mace, Vanilla and other seeds have already achieved the respective targets fixed for the year 2008-09, Spices Board said in a release.