Kochi, Aug. 27 Spices exports dropped in volume and value during April-July of the current fiscal. While 1,64,215 tonnes of spices valued at Rs 1,691 crore were exported during April-July, 1,89,870 tonnes valued at Rs 1,881 crore were shipped out during the same period a year ago. Exports registered a 14 per cent fall in volume and 10 per cent fall in value. Even in dollar earnings spices exports declined to $347 million against $448 million.
However, the trend seems to be changing with export volumes in July surging, reducing the value shortfall to four per cent. Major items which have helped to revive spices exports in July were chilli, cardamom (small), turmeric, garlic, nutmeg and nut mace. Spice oils and oleoresins including mint products, continued to play a dominant role in the export basket accounting for 34 per cent of the total export earnings, followed by chilli which accounted for 20 per cent, cumin 10 per cent and turmeric eight per cent.
During the review period, export of cardamom (big and small), turmeric, coriander, celery, fennel, garlic, curry powder nutmeg and nut mace registered growth in volume and value. However, export of major spices such as pepper, chilli, cumin, vanilla, mint products, spice oils and oleoresins that have substantially higher weight in the export basket registered a fall in both quantity and value during the period.
Pepper exports fell sharply, with volumes falling to 6,750 tonnes valued at Rs 102 crore against 9,430 tonnes valued at Rs 160 crore. The prime reason for the fall was the declining presence in major markets such as the US and EU. , The decline in exports to Pakistan was the major cause for the shortfall in value and volume of chilli exports. Last year, Pakistan imported 22,000 tonnes of chilli during the corresponding period.
Some of the spices with lower weight in the export basket registered good gains. Export of turmeric grew 45 per cent to 21,000 tonnes valued at Rs 132 crore, while coriander seeds increased to 16,750 tonnes valued at Rs 85 crore. Curry powder exports registered a growth of 13 per cent in volume and 20 per cent in value.
An export target of 4,35,000 tonnes of spices valued Rs 4, 500 crore ($ 1 billion) has been set for the fiscal. The achievement of 1,64,215 tonnes valued Rs 1,691 crores ($ 347.07 million) during April-July 2009 is 38 per cent of the targeted quantity and 35 per cent of the targeted rupee value.
Source : Business Line