India’s spices export has crossed $1 billion in 2007-08 registering an increase of 19% in volume, 24% in rupee value and 39% in dollar terms.
During the year, a total of 444,250 tonnes of spices and spice products valued at Rs.4,435.50 crore ($101.80 million) were exported from the country as against 373,750 tonnes valued at Rs.3,575.75 crore ($792.95 million) the previous year.
V.J. Kurien, Chairman of the Spices Board, said at a press meet that the spice exports in 2007-08 had also far exceeded the target fixed for the year both in volume and value terms.
Against the target of 380,000 tonnes valued at Rs.3,600 crore ($875 million) fixed for the year, the achievement was 117% in volume, 123% in rupee value and 126% in dollar value.
“The board has fixed an export target of $1.2 billion for the year 2008-09 and we are optimistic to sustain the same growth,” he added.
During 2007-08, the export of pepper, chilli, seed spices like coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek and other seeds showed substantial growth both in volume and value compared to last year. The export of value-added products like curry powder, mint products and spice oils and oleoresins had also shown impressive growth during the period.
However, export of some of the items like cardamom (large) ginger, turmeric, celery, garlic and nutmeg and mace fell short of last year’s performance. For vanilla, because of competitive price advantage, the export volume increased substantially by 60% in 2007-08. However, the value decreased by 11% due to low unit value when compared to last year.
The export of chilli from India reached an all-time high of 209,000 tonnes valued at Rs.1,097.50 crore accounting for a share of 47% in volume and 25% in value of the total export of spices and spice products from the country.
The stringent quality measures implemented by the Spices Board made Indian chilli more acceptable in the international market. Moreover, the lower output by major producers like China, Pakistan also helped India to achieve performance, Mr. Kurien said, adding that the board had also suggested e-auction in chilli at Guntur to fetch better prices for farmers.
The export of ginger declined both in terms of quantity and value as compared to 2006-07. The decline was 11% in volume and 30% in value.
The domestic price of ginger, which was in the range of Rs.45 to Rs.65 per kg in 2006-07, went up to Rs. 80 per kg in March 2008. The higher prices made Indian ginger uncompetitive in the international market.
Source: The Hindu
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment