Govt to boost spices export
The Centre will spend Rs 1,000 crore during the 11th Plan for building infrastructure to boost spices exports to gain a stronger foothold in the global spices market.
By Debasis Sarkar, TNN |
SILIGURI : The Centre will spend Rs 1,000 crore during the 11th Plan for building infrastructure to boost spices exports to gain a stronger foothold in the global spices market. According to a Union commerce ministry release, the Spice Board is planning a slew of new initiatives to increase exports on this front.
The most significant among these initiatives is undoubtedly the introduction of an electronic auction facility for cardamom, which will be launched in August 2007. “This will bring transparency in the bidding process,” said ministry officials.
Regional quality control laboratories are also being proposed to be set up in Guntur, Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi. A number of spice parks are planned at places like Chhindwara (MP), Idukki (Kerala), Erode (TN), Guntur (AP), Barabanki (UP) and Kota/Jalore (Rajasthan). “The total expected investment for building infrastructure in this sector during the 11th Plan is likely to be around Rs 1,000 crore,” the officials added. According to the ministry’s statistics, India produces over 40 lakh metric tonne of spices annually and exports around 180 spices or spice products to over 150 countries.
Though there are 2,545 registered exporters and 430 manufacturers-cum-exporters of spice-related products, just around 100 exporters (4%) contribute over 80% of total spice exports from India.
During 2006-07, India exported spices worth Rs 3,576 crore. Of these, mint products figured at Rs 1,100 crore, followed by chillies Rs 807 crore, oils and oleoresins Rs 511 crore and pepper Rs 306 crore. The remaining exports centred on other spices.
The most significant among these initiatives is undoubtedly the introduction of an electronic auction facility for cardamom, which will be launched in August 2007. “This will bring transparency in the bidding process,” said ministry officials.
Regional quality control laboratories are also being proposed to be set up in Guntur, Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi. A number of spice parks are planned at places like Chhindwara (MP), Idukki (Kerala), Erode (TN), Guntur (AP), Barabanki (UP) and Kota/Jalore (Rajasthan). “The total expected investment for building infrastructure in this sector during the 11th Plan is likely to be around Rs 1,000 crore,” the officials added. According to the ministry’s statistics, India produces over 40 lakh metric tonne of spices annually and exports around 180 spices or spice products to over 150 countries.
Though there are 2,545 registered exporters and 430 manufacturers-cum-exporters of spice-related products, just around 100 exporters (4%) contribute over 80% of total spice exports from India.
During 2006-07, India exported spices worth Rs 3,576 crore. Of these, mint products figured at Rs 1,100 crore, followed by chillies Rs 807 crore, oils and oleoresins Rs 511 crore and pepper Rs 306 crore. The remaining exports centred on other spices.
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