Spices Board is in discussions with leading chocolate manufacturers to market its spice-flavoured chocolates both in domestic and international markets.
A Jayathilak, Chairman, Spices Board, said that discussions are on with companies such as Amul, Nestle, Cadbury’s and other chocolate manufacturers in this regard. The Board has already sent samples to chocolate manufacturers and there has been an encouraging response, he said.
He told reporters that the Board is now selling spice-flavoured chocolates in six flavours – cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, chilli, clove and Mace – packed in gift boxes at the Spices India store in Lulu Mall. Considering the huge response from customers, the Board is in the process of setting up a similar store in Dubai on a franchise mode.
Plans are also afoot to launch innovative cosmetics products, spice fragrances, candles, spices soap and textiles using spices, he added.
According to him, Indian spices are considered to be the world best spices with more than 50 per cent share in the global market. The Board will focus on launching a Brand India campaign for promotion of processed, value-added, innovative branded products.
Among the new initiatives being planned by the Board is domestic promotion of cardamom and other value-added products and revamping the cardamom marketing system.
The Chairman also hinted that the area under pepper cultivation is dwindling in the country thereby showing a decline in quantity. Against a production of one lakh tonnes 10 years ago, the figure now stands at 50,000 tonnes due to labour problems and plant disease.