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Spices export figures indicate growth trend

Kochi: Spices worth Rs.402.99 crore were exported from the country in October this year. In quantitative terms it stood at 28,070 tonnes, according to official figures published here recently.

The figures were Rs.370.96 crore and 32,494 tonnes in the corresponding period last year.

The major items exported in October 2008 included mint products, spice oils and oleoresins, chilli, pepper, cumin and turmeric.

The cumulative spices export from April to October (2008) has been put at 2,84,560 tonnes valued at Rs.3,080.25 crore ($710.62 million) as against the 2,66,325 tonnes valued at Rs.2,700.50 crore ($664.41 million) in the corresponding period last year.

Compared to the previous year, the exports showed an increase of 7 per cent in terms of quantity and 14 per cent in rupee value (in dollar terms, the increase was 7 per cent).

Spice oils and oleoresins including mint products contributed 41 per cent of the total export earnings. Chilli contributed 21 per cent followed by cumin 9 per cent; pepper 8 per cent and turmeric 5 per cent, the release said.

During April-October 2008, export of most of the major spices had shown an increasing trend, both in terms of quantity and value as compared to the same period last year.

However, export of pepper and mint products showed a decline in terms of quality and value as compared to last year, the release stated.

During the period, export of ginger and nutmeg declined in quantity terms.

During April-October 2008, the export of pepper from the country was 14,750 tonnes valued at Rs.246.70 crore as against the 22,800 tonnes valued at Rs.330.38 crore in the previous year.

The average export price of pepper went up from Rs.144.90 a kg in 2007 to Rs.167.25 a kg in 2008. During the period, the country had exported 1,21,500 tonnes of chilli and chilli products valued at Rs.660.18 crore as against 1,21,420 tonnes valued at Rs.658.58 crore the previous year.

Traditional buyers of Indian chilli namely, Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, continued their buying this year also.

In addition, Pakistan was also very active in the market at the start of the year. The reported lower output from other producing countries and mandatory quality testing of chilli and chilli products also helped India in achieving a higher level of chilli export.

The export of seed spices also showed an increase.

The export of coriander seed during April-October 2008 was 17,100 tonnes valued at Rs.116.80 crore as against the 15,180 tonnes valued at Rs.59.95 crores in 2007.

The unit value of export went up from Rs.39.49 a kg in 2007 to Rs.68.30 a kg in 2008.

The export of cumin seed during April-October 2008 had increased considerably and the export was 26,000 tonnes valued at Rs.269.98 crore as against the 14,985 tonnes valued at Rs.157.93 crore.

The export of cumin had shown an increase of 74 per cent in quantity and 71 per cent in value terms as compared to last year.

The reported crop failure in other major producing countries like Syria, Turkey and Iran helped India to achieve this higher level of export.

The export of value-added products like curry powder and spice oils showed substantial increase both in terms of quantity and value.

In the current year, a total of 8,500 tonnes of curry powder valued at Rs.97.15 crore was exported as against the 6,400 tonnes valued at Rs.61.90 crore last year.

During April-October 2008, the export of spice oils and oleoresins was 4,610 tonnes valued at Rs.463.85 crore as against the 3,815 tonnes and Rs.320.44 crore of 2007.

This was an increase of 45 per cent in value and 21 per cent in volume terms.

Against the export target of 4,25,000 tonnes, valued at Rs.4,350 crore ($1,025) for the year, the achievement of 2,84,560 tonnes valued at Rs.3,080.25 crore ($710.62 million) up to October 2008 is 67 per cent in quantity, 71 per cent in rupee and 69 per cent in dollar terms.

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