Spices exports touched $1,396.51 million during April-November 2013, registering a 28 per cent increase in volume, 46 per cent in rupee terms and 32 per cent in dollar terms compared to April-November 2012.
Increased demand for Indian spices in the international arena is a testimony to their quality and sustainability, A. Jayathilak, Chairman, Spices Board India, said.
In rupee terms, export of spices and spice products touched ₹8,377.20 crore in value, with an exported volume of 5,08,555 tonnes during the period against 3,98,000 tonnes for an overall value of ₹5,732.25 crore in the corresponding previous period.
Mint products such as mint oils, menthol and menthol crystals showed an increase of 129 per cent in volume and 62 per cent in value at ₹1,975.17 crore for a quantity of 15,850 tonnes. In the corresponding period, it was 6,916 tonnes fetching ₹1,222.99 crore.
A total volume of 181,500 tonnes of chilli got exported for ₹1,614.17 crore against 174,798 tonnes for ₹1,408.68 crore earlier.
Pepper and turmeric registered an increase of 42 and 41 per cent, respectively in value with an export volume of 13,700 tonnes and 50,500 tonnes, respectively. Export of pepper and turmeric were valued at ₹572.26 crore and ₹408.28 crore, respectively.
Value-added spice products such as spice oils and oleoresins and curry powders and pastes fetched an export value of ₹1,110.84 crore and ₹230.19 crore, respectively.
Export of cumin during the period was 86,500 tonnes at ₹1,150.56 crore, while coriander earned an export revenue of ₹235.57 crore. A total of 3,350 tonnes of nutmeg and mace valued at ₹198.12 crore was exported. Small cardamom recorded an export of 1,805 tonnes at ₹144.35 crore.
With the current trend in exports, the Chairman said the future of the spice trade looks promising, especially spices such as pepper, small cardamom, chilli, turmeric, coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, celery, garlic, nutmeg and mace. Other seed spices have registered an upsurge in both volume and value.