NEW DELHI: Boosted by large shipments of pepper, cardamom and chilli, Indian exports of spices touched Rs 11,453.99 crore (US$ 1,770.86 million) during April-December 2015, registering an eight per cent increase in rupee terms and two per cent in dollar terms.
The country achieved 82 per cent of its full-year export target of Rs 14,014 crore ($2,260 million), set for the first nine months of the fiscal year 2015-16.
The export of pepper, cardamom, chilli, turmeric, celery, fennel, fenugreek, apart from tamarind, asafoetida and cassia, contributed substantially to the exports during the period in the last fiscal year.
The export of value-added products like curry powder and spice oils & oleoresins also increased in volume and value during the period.
A total of 603,885 tonnes of spices and spice products were exported during April-December 2015, compared to 6,44,269 tonnes in the corresponding period the previous year.
“The value of exports has registered an increase of eight per cent because Indian spices continue to be much sought after overseas. However there has been a dip of six per cent in terms of the volumes exported, primarily due to the decline in the export of spice seeds,” said Spices Board Chairman Dr A Jayathilak.
The export of cumin during FY 2015-16 reduced drastically in comparison to corresponding period of FY 2014-15 due to low productivity caused by unfavourable climatic conditions.
The exports of cardamom (large), coriander and mint products declined both in volume and value as compared to last year while ginger, aniseed, ajwain (bishop’s weed or carom) seed, mustard and garlic only registered growth in value terms.
Exports of pepper, known as the “King of Spices”, stood at Rs 1,438.16 crore in April-December of FY 2015-16, marking an increase of 62 per cent in volume and 83 per cent in value.
Cardamom (small) made a remarkable stride in export earnings by fetching
Rs 300.85 crore through shipment of 3,825 tonnes during this period, registering an increase of 83 per cent by volume and 63 per cent in value as compared to the corresponding period the previous year.
Around 2,53,000 tonnes of chilli worth Rs. 2,781.20 crore were exported during this period, recording an increase of two per cent in volume and 13 per cent in value from the same period in FY 2014-15.
A total of 68,500 tonnes of turmeric worth Rs.665.15 crore were exported in April-December 2015 as against 64,786 tonnes valued at Rs.524.63 crores in the previous year.
Fennel exports grew to 11,720 tonnes worth Rs 128.90 crore as against 8,900 tonnes valued at Rs.98.88 crores, registering an increase of 32% in volume and 30% in value.
During the period, a total of 24,000 tonnes of fenugreek worth Rs. 165.60 crores were exported as against 16,128 tonnes valued at Rs.92.93 crores a year earlier, registering a 49% growth in volume and 78% in value.
Exports of value-added spice products like spice oils and oleoresins rose 17 per cent in value and three per cent in volume.
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