The export of various spices from the country has registered an all time high both in quantity and value during the period 2010-11.
According to the figures of Spices Board, a total of 525,750 tonnes of spices and spice products valued Rs 6,840.71 crore (USD 1,502.85 million) has been exported as against 502,750 tonnes valued Rs 5,560.50 crore (USD 1,173.75 million) in 2009-10, registering an increase of five percent in volume and 23 percent in rupee terms of value during 2010-11.
The Board has plans to increase the spices export to 3 billion by 2017 and 10 billion by 2025 said V J Kurian, Chairman, Spices Board, while talking to mediapersons on spice export performance for the year 2010-11.
Kurian said, during 2010-11, the export of chilli, ginger, fennel, garlic and other spices including asafoetida and tamarind has shown an increase both in volume and value as compared to 2009-10.
The export of value added products including spice oils and oleoresin and curry power/paste had also shown increase both in volume and value as compared to 2009-10.
However, in the case of pepper, cardamom (large), turmeric, nutmeg and mace and mint the increase is in terms of value only. Other spices like cardamom (small), coriander, cumin, celergy, fenugreek and other seeds have decreased both in terms of volume and value as compared to previous year, he said.
Kurian said that during 2010-11, a total quantity of 18,850 tonnes of pepper valued at Rs 383.19 crore was exported as against 19,750 tonnes valued at Rs 313.93 crore of last year
registering an increase of Rs 22 percent in value.
During 2010-11, India had exported 15,250 tonnes of curry powder/paste valued at Rs 210.50 crore as against 14,300 tonnes valued at Rs 189.19 crore of last year, Kurian said.
To improve the export performance in the coming years, the Board is planning to open 11 spice parks during this fiscal.
Of this two had already been inaugurated at Idukki and Madhya Pradesh, he said.
The board has also plans to set up laboratories in 8 Places including Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Tuticorin, Kolkata and Kandla.