Spices exports up 9 per cent to Rs 6,963 crore in April-September

NEW DELHI: Spices exports rose by 9 per cent in the first six months of this fiscal in value terms to Rs 6,963 crore.

According to Spices Board data, exports stood at Rs 6,364.64 crore in the year-ago period.

In volume terms, spices exports grew by 12 per cent to 4,21,570 tonnes during April-September period of this fiscal as against 3,76,584 tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous year.

"Spices exports have grown by 12 per cent in volume terms and 9 per cent in value terms during the first six months of this fiscal," Spices Board Chairman A Jayathilak told.

Chilli, mint products, cumin, spice oils & oleoresins, pepper, turmeric, coriander, curry powder/paste and fenugreek contributed substantially to the overall spices exports, he added.

Chilli exports stood at 1,61,000 tonnes worth Rs 1,547.30 crore during the period. The exports were up by 17 per cent in quantity and 23 per cent in value.

Exports of mint and mint products (mint oils, menthol and menthol crystals) stood at 13,300 tonnes worth Rs 1,463.25 crore. Cumin exports stood at 87,500 tonnes that earned a foreign exchange of Rs 977.5 crore.

Jayathilak noted that Spices Board has got the "Niryat Bandhu" award, set up by industry body FIEO.

Spices Board has a mandate to promote exports of 52 spices in any form, including curry powder, oils, oleoresins and other spice mixes, where spice content is predominant.

Besides exports development of 52 spices, the board also looks after production of cardamom (small & large).