Spices exports cross Rs 10,000-cr mark

Kochi: Despite the continuance of global recession and economic slump in the overseas markets, India’s spices exports have crossed the Rs 10,000-crore mark.

A total of 6,99,170 tonnes of spices and spice products valued at Rs 11,171.16 crore ($2,040.18 million) has been exported in FY13 against 5,75,270 tonnes valued Rs 97,83.42 crore ($2,037.76 million) in FY12.

It is for the first time that the growth in volume of exports registered an all time high of 22 per cent and 14 per cent in value. The total exports have exceeded the target in terms of both quantity and value.

Compared to the target of 5,66,000 tonnes valued at Rs 8,203.50 crore ($1,650 million) for FY13, the achievement is 124 per cent in terms of quantity and 136 per cent in rupee and 124 per cent in dollar terms of value.

As the exports of cumin, mint and chillies show sharp improvements during 2012-13, the pattern of trade is showing perceptible changes. New spices are gaining prominence in the export basket, A. Jayathilak, Chairman of Spices Board said.

Mint products, cardamom (large), chilli, coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, celery, other seeds such as mustard, aniseed, ajwain seed, nutmeg and mace, garlic, asafoetida, tamarind, curry powders/pastes, oils and oleoresins, etc are the star performers recording rise in exports both in terms of volume and value.

Traditional spices such as pepper, cardamom (small) and ginger had shown decrease both in terms of volume and value as compared to last year.

The export of seed spices witnessed a phenomenal growth both in terms of quantity and value. A total of 1,86,075 tonnes of seed spices valued at Rs 1,672.99 crore was exported in FY 13.

Break up

In the case of cumin, a total quantity of 79,900 tonnes valued Rs 1,093.17 crore was exported against 45,500 tonnes valued at Rs 644.42 crore.

Fennel showed an increase of 80 per cent in terms of quantity and 58 per cent in terms of value whereas fenugreek marked a rise of 43 per cent in quantity and 49 per cent in value terms. In terms of coriander, 37,100 tonnes valued at Rs 210.77 crore have been exported.

With high demand for its value-added products, mint continued to mark an increase of 49 per cent in value and 35 per cent in volume. A total of 19,980 tonnes of mint products were exported at a value of Rs 3,321.79 crore.

Garlic showed a whopping increase both in terms of quantity and value when 24,000 tonnes (2,200 tonne in FY 12) were exported at a value of Rs 74.49 crore (Rs 14.15 crore).

Chilli continued to remain upbeat when a total quantity of 2,81,000 tonnes of chilli valued at Rs 2,261.44 crore have been exported against 2,41,000 tonnes valued at Rs 2,144.08 crore.

While the export of small cardamom declined both in terms of volume and value, large cardamom showed a rising trend in the export market with an increase of 18 per cent in quantity and 8 per cent in value.