Export of spice products registers 23% fall

KOCHI: Export of spice and spice products from the country has registered a 23 % fall in quantity terms and stood at 82435 tonnes in the April-May period of current fiscal. In rupee terms, the exports saw a 10 % decline and touched Rs 824.67 crore.

The exports in dollar terms also fell by 25 % to a level of US $ 167.41 million. Spice oils and oleoresins including mint products contributed 32 % of the total export earnings. Chilli contributed 19 % followed by cumin 13 % and turmeric 8 %.

During the April to May period, the export of cardamom, turmeric, coriander, celery, fennel, nutmeg and mace were higher both in terms of quantity and value. However, pepper, chilli, vanilla, mint products and spice oils and oleoresins have shown a decline both in terms of quantity and value as compared to the same period of the previous year.

Against the export target of 4,35,000 tonnes valued at Rs 4,500.00 (US $ 1000 million) for the year, the achievement of 82,435 tonnes valued at Rs 824.67 crore during April to May 2009 is 19 % in quantity, 18 % in rupee value and 17 % in dollar value targets.