Spice exports registered a 5.7 per cent drop in volume and a 5 per cent decline in value during the first half (April-September) of the year compared with the same period last year. They had declined 10 per cent in volume and 9 per cent in value last year.
This slowdown, in terms of percentage, signals a recovery in the sector, which will be a boon for the next half of the year.
During this period, India exported 239,300 tonnes of spices valued at Rs 2,525.86 crore against 253,550 tonnes valued at Rs 2,660.75 crore during the same period last year.
Black pepper exports suffered a setback as the total exports declined to 9,750 tonnes valued at Rs 150.64 crore compared with 12,750 tonnes valued at Rs 215.70 crore last year. Export of chilli declined to 82,000 tonnes valued at Rs 510 crore compared with 109,000 tonnes valued at Rs 581.17 crore last year.
Mint product exports also fell from 9,550 tonnes to 8,050 tonnes this year. Spice oils and oleoresin exports declined to 3,225 tonnes from 4,075 tonnes last year.
But, some other spices such as coriander and curry powder registered an increase in exports. Coriander exports increased to 23,250 tonnes against 15,500 tonnes last year. A marginal increase was registered in the export of curry powder and paste, with total exports at 7,425 tonnes against 7,250 tonnes last year.
