Chilli, Garlic & Ginger Spice Up Exports.

Spices exports from the country are on the rise in both volume and value term largely due to higher exports and prices of chilli, garlic, ginger and oleoresins.

According to data released by the state-run Spices Board, exports during the 10-month period of the current fiscal increased by 5% in volume and 18% in rupee term compared to the same period of the last financial year. In dollar term the increase was 23%.

Interestingly, export of important spices like pepper, cardamom, turmeric and mint products are on the lower side due to higher domestic prices and availability.

During the April-January 2010-11, India exported 4,33,455 tonne of spices and spices products valued at R5,485.40 crore ($1203.30 million) as against 413,895 tonne valued at R4,646.50 crore ($974.57 mn) during April-January 2009-10.

Compared to the spices export target of 4,65,000 tonne valued R5,100.00 crore ($1,125 million) fixed for the financial year 2010-11, the achievement was 93% in terms of volume and 108% in rupee value and 107% in dollar term of value.

During April-January 2010-11, exports of chilli, ginger, fennel, garlic and other spices such as asafoetida, tamarind etc. have shown an increase in both volume and value as compared to April-January 2009-10.

The export of value-added product spice oils and oleoresin and curry powder had also shown an increasing trend as compared to April-January 2009-10. However, in the case of pepper, cardamom (large), turmeric and mint products the increase is in terms of value only. Other spices like cardamom (small), coriander, cumin, celery, fenugreek, other seeds and nutmeg &mace have decreased both in terms of volume and value as compared to last year.

During the period, a total quantity of 15,700 tonne of pepper valued at R307.47 crore have been exported as against 16,295 tonne valued at R269.36 crore of last year. Availability of pepper has shrunk drastically in India and import of pepper is becoming a necessity. The unit value of pepper has increased from R159.15 per kg in 2009-10 to R195.84 per kg during 2010-11 due to the lower global production.

Export of small cardamom stands at 780 tonne for the period and valued at R91.19 crore as against 1,540 tonne valued at R120.89 crore of last year. In the case of cardamom the unit value has increased from R784.80 per kg in 2009-10 to R1,169.07 per kg in 2010-11. Lower production of cardamom in Guatemala resulted more exports from India during last year.

Chilli exports has been increasing consistently in both volume and value during the past two years due to lower production in China. During the period a total quantity of 200,000 tonne of chilli valued at R1255.52 crore have been exported as against 1,63,750 tonne valued R1056.67 crore of last year, registering an increase of 22% in quantity and 19% in value.

During April - January 2010-11 India exported 10,500 tonne of ginger valued R64.54 crore as against 4,650 tonne valued R36.68crore of last year. During the period, the export of spice oils and oleoresins has also increased to 6,000 tonne valued R729.02crore from 5,725 tonne valued R600.99 crore of last year. During April- January 2010-11, 12,250 tonne of curry powder and paste valued at R164.58 crore was exported as against 12,000 tonne valued R158.78 crore of last year.

Source : financialexpress.com