Spices exports up 22% in FY'13 to 7 lakh tonnes

The nutrition post

NEW DELHI: Spices exports rose by 22 per cent to 6,99,170 tonnes during 2012-13 on account of sharp jump in garlic shipments.

Total exports stood at 5,75,270 tonnes in the previous fiscal, as per the data of Spice Board of India.

In terms of value, spices exports increased by 14 per cent to Rs 11,171.16 crore during last fiscal from Rs 9,783.42 crore in 2011-12.

The exports, in terms of both quantity and value, were higher than the target. The board had fixed the spices exports target at 5,66,000 tonnes and Rs 8,200 crore for 2012-13.

According to the data, there was almost ten-fold jump in the exports of garlic to 24,000 tonnes in 2012-13 from 2,200 tonnes in 2011-12. In terms of value, garlic exports jumped more than four times to Rs 74.49 crore in the current fiscal from Rs 14.15 crore a year ago.

Exports of chili, which is the biggest contributor to the total exports of spices in terms of quantity, rose by 17 per cent to 2,81,000 tonnes during 2012-13 from 2,40,000 tonnes in the previous fiscal.

Besides garlic, fennel and cumin also recorded increase in the exports during 2012-13.

Shipments of fennel increased by 80 per cent to 14,575 tonnes in 2012-13 from 8,100 tonnes a year ago valued at Rs 114.02 crore.

Cumin exports increased by 76 per cent to 79,900 tonnes in 2012-13 from 45,500 tonnes previous year valued at Rs 1093.17 crore.

However, exports of pepper and cardamom registered a decline of 40 per cent and 52 per cent, respectively, in 2012-13 as compared to the previous fiscal.

India is the world's leading spice producer, exporter and consumer.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com