Spices exports increase 22% in Apr-Sept

The exports of spices and spice-based products increased 22 per cent to 219,640 tonnes in the first half of the current financial year as compared with the same period last year.

In value terms, the country exported spices worth Rs 2,100.34 crore ($514.10 million), up 29 per cent against last year's Rs 1,627.52 crore.

The country has already achieved 58 per cent of the target set by the Spices Board, both in quantity and value terms. The board has fixed an exports target of 380,000 tonnes valued at Rs 3,600 crore for the current financial year.

Red chilli exports rose by a whopping 72 per cent in quantity and 92 per cent in value terms. According to the latest estimates of the Spices Board, a total of 100,000 tonnes (valued at Rs 549.25 crore) red chilli was exported during the period.

High demand from countries such as Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Bangladesh spurred exports. Chilli contributed 46 per cent of the total quantity of spices exported and 26 per cent of the total value realisation in overseas selling.

Exports of black pepper grew 37 per cent to 17,000 tonnes while earnings soared by 126 per cent to Rs 245.43 crore during the first half of 2007-08. The sharp rise in earnings was due to the increase in fob (freight on board) unit value of pepper at Rs 144.37 a kg against Rs 87.28.

Exports of cardamom (large) touched 650 tonnes, up 61 per cent. The earning from exports rose 53 per cent to Rs 7.19 crore. Coriander exports grew 22 per cent to 12,900 tonnes valued at Rs 49.49 crore. Severe drought in the Eastern European countries such as Romania and Bulgaria, a major coriander producing area, may further boost exports from India.

Ginger and turmeric exports registered a marginal increase in quantity but in value terms, there has been a drop of 27 per cent and 9 per cent respectively.

In sharp contrast to the overall picture, the exports of garlic witnessed a sharp drop of 97 per cent. Only 305 tonnes, valued at Rs 1.87 crore, were exported in April-September period against 10,325 tonnes (Rs 17.96 crore) last year. In September, only 10 tonnes were shipped overseas.

In case of cumin seeds, the exports declined from 16,940 tonnes to 11,250 tonnes. However, earnings dropped by only 2 per cent to Rs 120.97 crore. This was because of the increase in value realisation of the spice to Rs 107.53 a kg from Rs 72.90.