Chilli, Ginger Boost Spice Exports in Apr-Aug.

Kochi: Spice exports for the first five months of the current financial year that ends in March is higher than the same period of last fiscal mainly due to increased exports of chilli, ginger and certain seed spices, Spices Board sources said.

In April-August 2010, a total of 2,39,850 tonne of spices and spice products valued at Rs 2,600.51 crore ($564.85 million) has been exported from the country as against 2,11,950 tonne valued Rs 2,190.50 crore ($ 450.50 million) in April-August 2009, an increase of 13% in volume and 19% in rupee terms. In dollar terms the increase was 25%.

During April-August 2010, export of chilli, ginger, fennel, garlic, other spices like tamarind and asafoetida have increased both in volume and value as compared to April-August 2009. The export of value-added products like curry powder, spice oils and oleoresin have also shown an increasing trend.

However, in the case of pepper, cardamom (small), turmeric and mint products the increase is in value terms only.

According to Spices Board data, spices like cardamom (large), cumin, celery, nutmeg and mace and other seeds like mustard seed, dill seed and ajwan seed have decreased both in volume and value as compared to last year.

Pepper exports during the period was lower by 5 % in volume and 6 % in value at 7,600 tonne valued at Rs 129 crore. Indian pepper has been out priced in the global market and imports are also higher in the current financial year. Chilli exports were higher during the five months by 35% in value and volume mainly due to a drop in China ‘s chilli production.

Chinese production loss in garlic has also helped in higher exports to the tune of 327% in volume terms and 688 % in value terms.

In the last fiscal, India exported 5,02,750 tonne of spices and products valued at Rs 5,560.50 crore ($1173.75 billion), exceeding the target for the fiscal by 16% in volume and 24% in value terms.

Source : financialexpress.com