The State’s agricultural exports rose by 10 per cent to Rs. 8,038.54 crore in 2012-13.
Exports of commodities such as coffee, agricultural and processed food products, spices, Bangalore onion and gherkins increased in the last fiscal, while silk, cashew and cashew kernels witnessed a decline compared to 2011-12. The State exported agricultural commodities worth Rs. 5,158.66 crore in 2011-12.
According to Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and Export Corporation (KAPPEC) officials, commodity prices depend on production and demand situation and do not follow a linear path.
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Moreover, deficit rainfall in more than 150 taluks across the State during the last kharif season was the major reason for the sluggish growth in exports.
The State’s total exports stood at Rs. 2,58,368.50 crore in 2012-13, an increase of 46 per cent over the previous year (Rs. 1,76,131.20 crore in 2011-12). Exports of farm commodities constituted 3.11 per cent of the total State’s exports.
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Coffee products hold a commanding position in the export basket. The State exported coffee worth Rs. 3,534.38 crore in 2012-12 against Rs. 3,173.31 crore in 2011-12, an increase of 11 per cent.
Gherkin
Production of high quality gherkin led to an increased demand in the global market, with gherkin exports standing at Rs. 750 crore in the last financial year, which was Rs. 250 crore more than the export value in 2011-12. Exports stood at Rs. 300 crore in 2009-10.
Over a lakh small and marginal farmers are involved in contract farming of gherkins through tie-ups with agribusiness companies in Chitradurga, Davangere, Tumkur, Gadag, Dharwad, Haveri and Hassan districts. The State contributes more than 80 per cent of India’s gherkin production.
Firms from several States have entered into contract farming with famers in Karnataka to produce gherkins, KAPPEC officials said.
Silk products
The State shipped silk products worth Rs. 653.69 crore in 2012-13 against Rs. 898.69 crore in 2011-12, a decline of 27 per cent. The decline was due to increased silk production and export by neighbouring States such as Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in recent years and increased competition from China in the global market, according to officials.
Silk exports were Rs. 677.81 crore in 2010-11 and Rs. 701.56 crore in 2009-10.
Cashew
Exports of cashew and cashew kernels stood at Rs. 846.99 crore in 2012-13 against Rs. 1,002.69 crore in the previous year. Exports were Rs. 586.76 crore in 2010-11. The State exported agricultural processed food products worth Rs. 1,148.85 crore in the last fiscal against Rs. 762.94 crore in 2011-12.
Exports of Bangalore rose onion were up from Rs. 100 crore in 2011-12 to Rs. 150 crore 2012-13, an increase of 50 per cent, while flower exports totalled Rs. 50 crore in 2012-13. The State exported spices worth Rs. 904.63 crore in 2012-13 against Rs. 829.91 crore in the previous fiscal.