The spices export in the period of April-July this year has increased 15 per cent, estimated at 185,255 tonnes valued Rs 1835.29 crore ($437.10 million), as against 161,577 tonnes worth Rs 1,525.47 crore ($372.42 million) in the corresponding period last year.
Compared to last year, the total export income had increased by 20 per cent in value (in dollar terms, the increase was 17 per cent). Spice oils and oleoresins, including mint products, contributed 38 per cent of the total export earnings. Chilli contributed 23 per cent followed by cumin 10 per cent, pepper 9 per cent and turmeric 5 per cent as per the latest estimates of the Spices Board.
| UPWARD TREND Export of spices during April-July 2008 | ||||
| Item | 2007 | 2008 | ||
| Quantity | Value | Quantity | Value | |
| Pepper | 12,050 | 173.17 | 9,500 | 160.55 |
| Chilli | 75,525 | 416.80 | 80,500 | 413.17 |
| Turmeric | 19,400 | 58.90 | 20,750 | 90.27 |
| Coriander | 9,085 | 33.20 | 12,500 | 81.86 |
| Cumin | 5,600 | 57.59 | 17,750 | 174.69 |
| Others | 39,917 | 785.80 | 44,255 | 914.74 |
| Total |
1,61,577 | |||
1,85,255
During July 2008, a total of 35,215 tonnes of spices valued at Rs 447.59 crore had been exported as against 40,435 tonnes valued at Rs 451.96 crore in July 2007.
In the four-month period, export of all major spices have shown an increasing trend, in terms of both quantity and value, as compared with the same period last year. However, spices such as pepper, ginger, nutmeg, mace and mint products have shown a decreasing trend. In case of export of celery and other miscellaneous spices, the increase is in value terms only.
Pepper exports from India have been 9,500 tonnes worth Rs 160.55 crore as against 12,050 tonnes valued at Rs 173.17 crore last year. The average export price of pepper has gone up from Rs 143.73 a kg in 2007 to Rs 169 this year. During the period, India exported 80,500 tonnes of chilli, valued Rs 413.18 crore as against 75,525 tonnes valued Rs 416.80 crore of last year, registering an increase of 7 per cent in quantity.
The traditional buyers of Indian chilli, namely, Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, continued their buying this year also. Pakistan also was active in the market.
The export of value-added products such as curry powder and spice oils & oleoresins have shown substantial increase in both quantity and value compared to last year. In April-July 2008, a total quantity of 4,650 tonnes of curry powder valued Rs 52.90 crore have been exported as against 3,675 tonnes valued Rs 33.83 crore last year.
