KOCHI: Spices exports from India have recorded an increase of 16% in rupee value and two percent in quantity terms from April 2008 to February 2009 period of the current financial year. The spices export from is estimated as 395,775 tonnes valued Rs.4590.50 crores (US $1020.95 million) as against 386,875 tonnes valued Rs.3950.50 crores (US $980.90 million) in the corresponding period of the last financial year., Spices Board said.
The spices export during the period is an all time high in terms of rupee value. In dollar terms, the increase is 4%. Spice oils and oleoresins including mint products contributed 43% of the total export earnings. Chilli contributed 21% followed by pepper 8%, cumin 7% and turmeric 5%.
During April-February 2008-09, export of most of the major spices have shown an increasing trend both in terms of quantity and value as compared to the same period of last year. However, export of Pepper has declined both in terms of quantity and value as compared to last year. During the period, export of Chilli, Ginger and Mint Products have declined in quantity only.
The export of Pepper from India during April-February 2008-09, has been 23,350 tonnes valued Rs.384.10 crores as against 31,760 tonnes valued Rs.466.26 crores of last year. The average export price of Pepper has gone up from Rs.146.81 per kg in 2007-08 to Rs.164.49 per kg in 2008-09. The low inventory in the major international markets due to the economic recession is reported to be the major reason for the decline in export of pepper.
During the period, India has exported 166,000 tonnes of Chilli and Chilli products valued Rs.947.35 crores as against 176,255 tonnes valued Rs.940.12 crores of last year. The traditional buyers of Indian chilli viz. Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka are active in the market. However, export to Bangladesh has reduced considerably.
The export of seed spices has shown an increasing trend both in quantity and value terms as compared to the last year. The export of Cumin seed has increased considerably during April-February 2009 and the export has been 31,000 tonnes valued Rs.323.32 crores as against 23,265 tonnes valued Rs.244.80 crores.
The export of Cumin has shown an increase of 33% in quantity and 32% in value terms as compared to last year. The export of cumin up to February 2009 is an all time record both in terms of quantity and value. The export of coriander seed during April-February 2008-09 has been 23,600 tonnes valued Rs.162.79 crores as against 23715 tonnes valued Rs.98.02 crores of last year registering an increase of 66% in value. The unit value of export has gone up from Rs.41.33/kg. in 2007-08 to Rs.68.98/kg. in 2008-09.
The export of value added products like Curry powder and Spice oils & oleoresins have also shown substantial increase both in terms of quantity and value as compared to last year. During April-February 2008-09, a total quantity of 12,450 tonnes of curry powder and masalas valued Rs.150.62 crores has been exported as against 10,380 tonnes valued Rs.99.37,crores of last years, registering an increase of 20% in volume and 52% in value. The export of Curry powder up to February 2009 is an all time high both in terms of quantity and value. During April-February 2008-09, the export of Spice oils and oleoresins has been 6,280 tonnes valued Rs.659.44 crores as against 5,860 tonnes valued Rs.496.78 crores of last year registering an increase of 33% in value and 7% in volume.
The total export of spices from India during April to February 2009 have already exceeded the target in terms of rupee value. Against the export target of 4,25,000 tonnes valued Rs.4,350.00 croes (US$ 1025.00) for the year, the achievement of 395,775 tonnes valued Rs.4590.50 crores (US$ 1020.95 million) up to February 2009 is 93.1% in quantity, 105.5% in rupee value and 99.6% in dollar terms of value. The export of spices viz. Cardamom (Small & Large), Cumin, Fenugreek, Nutmeg & Mace, Vanilla, Curry powder and Other seed Spices have achieved the respective targets both in volume and value fixed for the year 2008-09, Spices Board said in a release.
Source : commodityonline