Asian demand for isabgol rises 25 per cent

Demand for psyllium (isabgol) is on the rise from the new importing countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Meanwhile, exports to the US, the largest psyllium importer, accounting for 50 per cent of the total exports, is expected to remain steady.

According to Gujarat-based exporters, the demand from these three Asian countries is increasing by almost 25 per cent per annum and the growth is likely to be sustained over the next few years.

Gujarat is the largest producer of isabgol in the world, followed by Rajasthan and parts of Madhya Pradesh.

"The demand from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh is increasing. For the last two or three years, we have registered an export growth of almost 25 per cent to these three countries. This growth is astonishing as they are new isabgol markets," said Bharat A Patel, general secretary, Isabgol Processors' Association, and MD of Sidhpur-based Shiv Psyllium Industries.

The demand from the US, the world's largest importer of psyllium, is expected to remain steady. "The US accounts for 50 per cent of the total exports. Every year, we normally export 7 to 10 lakh bags (75 kg each), with 50 per cent to the US and the rest to Europe, South Asia and Middle East," said Patel.

"Of the total exports from India, around 10 to 15 per cent of isabgol goes to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh," he added.

However, Gujarat-based exporters are still jittery in dealing directly with the Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh clients. "Gujarat-based exporters are not really comfortable in dealing directly with Pakistani importers and still prefer to go via Mumbai- and Delhi"�based exporters. There is the general misconception about Pakistan, and Gujarati exporters do not have any direct relations with Pakistani traders. On the other hand, Mumbai- and Delhi-based exporters do have established relations with Pakistani importers as they have been dealing with them on other commodities as well," said Chirag Patel, partner in Satnam Psyllium Industries, Unjha.