Spices exports surge 44% in April

The country has achieved 44% growth in the export of spices and spice based products at 38,972 tonne in April 2007 compared to the same month in last year.

The country notched up export earnings of Rs 333 crore, a growth of 61% over April 2006 according to data released by the Spices Board. The board had ealrier set a target of exporting 3,80,000 tonne of spices valued at Rs 3600 crore in the current fiscal. In keeping with the target the country has achived 10% of the targeted quantity and 9% of the vlaue in the first month itself according to the latest  estimates of the board.

The best performance was in chilli exports with a growth of 231% in quantity and 320% in value. During April 2007, chilli export touched 22,000 tonne valued at Rs 126.50 crore compared with 6644 tonne and Rs 30.11 crore in April 2006. The Spices Board had fixed a target of exporting 135,000 tonne valued at Rs 675 crore for the whole of ongoing fiscal.

A marginal growth of 2% has been registered in the export of black pepper at 1600 tonne valued at Rs 20.64 crore. These were 1575 tonne and Rs 13.17 crore respectively in April 2006.

However, there was a serious setback in the export of ginger and turmeric with the former dropping 58% and the latter 22% in quantity. The country shipped 500 tonne of ginger valued at  Rs 3.25 crore compared with 1201 tonne and Rs 3.96 crore in April 2006. On turmeric front, the country's export was 3750 tonne vaued at Rs 11.73 crore in April 2007.

Coriander exports put up a better show with 2100 tonne valued at Rs 7.24 crore being shipped in April 2007 as against 1657 tonne valued at Rs 6.13 crore in April 2006. Sharp increase was also registered in mint products exports at 1200 tonne, realising an earning of Rs 81.60 crore. Exports in terms of volumes increased by 20%.

The country suffered setback in curry powder and paste exports, with a drop of 11% at 755 tonne valued at Rs 6.97 crore, while spices oils and oleoresins registered marginal growth.