Spices exports increase 7% to 3.7 lakh tonnes

The country's spices export has touched a record 373,750 tonnes, fetching a revenue of Rs 3,575.75 crore ($ 792.95 million), according to an estimate by the Spices Board.

In comparison with the previous year's performance, the exports grew 7 per cent (from 350,363 tonnes) in volume and 36 per cent (from Rs 2627.62 crore), in value. This year's figures also exceeded the export target for 2006-07 by 22 per cent in volume (306,000 tonnes) and 43 per cent in value (Rs 2,500 crore).

Pepper export rose to 28,750 tonnes valued at Rs 306.20 crore from 17,363 tonnes at Rs 150.95 crore in 2005-06. The sharp rise in the export was mainly due to the subsidy scheme announced by the government. The USA, the single largest market for pepper, imported 13,886 tonnes compared with 6596 tonnes in the previous year. Other major markets for the commodity are the UK, Germany, Italy, Canada and Australia.

Chilli export also saw a sharp rise of 31 per cent to 148,500 tonnes from 113,174 tonnes. In value term, it grew 100 per cent to Rs 807.75 crore against Rs 403.01 crore in 2005-06. The unit value realisation of chilli increased from Rs 36 a kg to Rs 54. China, one of the world's largest producers of chilli, imported 900 tonnes from India in 2006-07, while Malaysia imported 43,625 tonnes followed by Bangladesh with 28,425 tonnes.

Export of ginger dropped to 7,500 tonnes (at Rs 39.75 crore) from 9,411 tonnes (at Rs 42.96 crore) in 2005-06, while turmeric export increased to 51,500 tonnes against 46,405 tonnes in the preceding year.

Coriander export witnessed a marginal fall during the year owing to decline in demand from Malaysia and Pakistan. Around 20,500 tonnes of coriander valued at Rs 74.62 crore was exported in 2006-07 compared with 23,756 tonnes valued at Rs 67.71 crore in the previous year. Malaysian import fell to 5899 tonnes from 7530 tonne, while export to Pakistan dropped to 1264 tonnes from 3426 tonne.

Export of cuminseeds more than doubled at 26,000 tonnes valued at Rs 201.50 tonne as against 12,879 tonne at Rs 98.19 crore in 2005-06, while garlic witnessed a fall at 11,500 tonnes valued at Rs 21.28 crore against 34,688 tonnes (at Rs 47.98 crore) in 2005-06. There has been a marginal increase in the export of spice oils & oleoresins and mint products with 6,250 tonnes (Rs 510.79 tonne) and 16,250 (Rs 1100.95) respectively.

Among others, 9,500 tonnes of curry powder/paste, 125 tonnes vanila and 2,100 tonnes nutmeg and mace were also shipped during the period.Export of value-added spices increased 38 per cent to Rs 2,093 crore in value term against Rs 1512 crore in 2005-06. Kochi port accounted for 35 per cent of the total export, followed by Mumbai with 23 per cent.