Stiff competition from China coupled with thin demand from Pakistan may hit India’s chilli exports in 2009-10 (April-March), exporters said on Thursday.
Weak global economy may also weigh on chilli exports, which accounted for 40 per cent of the total 470,520 tonnes of spices India exported in 2008-09, they said. According to Spices Board, chilli exports fell 44 per cent from a year ago to 37,500 tonnes in April-June.
Export income slipped 31 per cent year on year to Rs 228 crore, the data showed. “China is selling to Pakistan, which is hitting Indian exports. But, it is difficult to get any accurate data from China,” said Alkesh Patel, managing director of Mumbai-based Amrutva Exports. Chinese chilli output reaching its normal size after two consecutive years of bad crop in 2006 and 2007 may keep pressure on Indian exports.
Source : Business Line