JEDDAH, 22 May 2005 — With their all-time record of exports worldwide, Indian spices have maintained an increased lead in Saudi Arabia as well as the Gulf and Middle East markets.
Export of spices during 2004-05 exceeded 300,000 tons in volume for the first time in the history of spices export, the Spices Board India’s (SBI) senior executives Dr. P.S. Thampi and N.A.D. Shenoy told reporters yesterday.
Exports to the Kingdom, the Gulf and North Africa amount to several million dollars, Thampi said, adding that cardamom, pepper, chili, ginger, turmeric and curry powders have been marking increased inroads into the Kingdom’s potentially rich market.
The board, which is the link between Indian exporters and overseas importers, has an ongoing campaign titled “Greening the earth guarding your health” for Indian organic spices.
Food trends everywhere are changing with a marked health orientation. The Indian spice industry has, therefore, made organic farming one of its major thrust areas, Thampi said.
Organic products on offer include black and white pepper, ginger, turmeric, cloves, nutmeg, mace, vanilla, cardamom, chili, black mustard, tamarind, rosemary thyme, oregano, marjoram, parseley, and sage, all in fresh, dehydrated and in oil forms.
Export of spices during the current financial year (April-March 2004-05) is estimated to total 335,488 tons valued at $490.60 million, marking a growth of 32 percent in terms of quantity and 15 percent in rupee value from the previous financial year’s $416.56 million. The highest ever spices exports previously recorded was 264.107 tons in 2002-03.
Thampi said chili, the “Universal spice of India,” had become the highest earner in the spices export basket, contributing a share of 41 percent in quantity and 23 percent in value. The other major items, which contributed significantly in export earnings are spice oils and oleoresins 21 percent, mint products 19 percent, turmeric seven percent and pepper six percent. These five spice items together account for about 76 percent of the total spices export earnings.
Export of chili during the year has also been an all time high. This achievement is because of our price competitiveness internationally with increased production, aside from the control system introduced by the SBI to eliminate contamination or adulteration.
The actual spices export performance has exceeded the target set for 2004-05 both in terms of quantity and value. Actual exports have increased by 134 percent in quantity - 335,488 tons valued at $490.60 million as against the export target of 250,000 tons valued at $450 million for the year. This also marks an increase of 110 percent in rupee value and 109 percent in dollar terms.
India, the spice bowl of the world, is home to more than 60 varieties of spices that were on display at the international trade fair which ended in Jeddah over the weekend.
