Spice exports register 22% rise

The spices exports recorded 22 % rise in value in rupee terms and 26 % increase in dollar terms for the four month period ended July 31. A total of 1,57,725 tonnes of spices and spice products valued at Rs 2613.50 crore ( $ 585.46 million) was exported from the country as compared with 2,08,775 tonnes valued at Rs 2135 crore ( $ 464.92 million) in the same period of the previous year. However, the volume of export showed a decline of 24 %.

The export of pepper, cardamom(small), cardamom(large), ginger, turmeric and other spices like tamarind, asafoetida, curry powder/paste have shown an increase both in volume and value. Spice oils and oleoresins, mint products, nutmeg & mace, and other seeds like mustard, ajwan seed etc., increased in terms of value only. The export of other spice items has shown decline both in volume and value as compared to last year.

Around 7,550 tonnes of pepper valued Rs.200.15 crores have been exported as against 6,800 tonnes valued Rs.115.57 crores. Cardamom exports touched 975 tonnes valued at Rs. 91.47 crores as against 205 tonnes valued Rs.23.59 crores of last year registering an increase of 376 per cent in quantity and 288 per cent in value. A total of 29,250 tonnes of turmeric valued Rs.322.26 crores as against 19,750 tonnes valued Rs.262.14 crores of last year registering an increase of 48 per cent in quantity and 23 per cent in value.