The sharp fall in the export of spices and spice-based products continued in September also as the volume of shipment declined 19 per cent during the April- September period (H1) compared with the same period last year.
During April-August, exports dropped 23 per cent. The decline was 24 and 26 per cent in April-July and in April-June (Q1) respectively.
In the first half of the current fiscal, 2,37,585 tonne spices and spice products valued at Rs 4165.59 crore ($920.55 million) was exported as against 2,94,925 tonne valued at Rs 3220.16 crore ($ 699.25 million). In rupee terms, the increase was 29 per cent and in dollar terms this was 32 per cent, according to the Spices Board.
Export of pepper, cardamom (small and large), ginger, turmeric, nutmeg and mace and other spices like tamarind, asafoetida, value-added products and curry powder/paste increased both in volume and value. In the case of chilli, spice oils, oleoresins and mint products, the increase was in terms of value only. The export of other spice items declined both in volume and value as compared with last year.
In the case of value-added products, curry powder/paste exports stood at 8000 tn valued at Rs 115.53 crore as against 7,925 tonne valued Rs 103.20 crore.
Compared with the export target of 500,000 tonne valued at Rs 6,500 crore ($ 1,450 million) fixed for the financial year 2011-12, the achievement of 2,37,585 tonne valued at Rs 4,165.59 crore ($920.55 million) is 48 per cent in terms of quantity, 64 per cent in rupee and 63 per cent in terms of dollar.
