Shellac and Forest Products Industry & Exports in India

Introduction

India produces a variety of non-timber forest/agricultural products (NTFPs) and has a global footprint in the export of such produce.

Some of India's noteworthy produce includes:

• Sesame seeds: Food applications and ayurvedic health treatments. India exported sesame seeds worth US$ 514.60 million in FY19 and US$ 504.60 million in FY20. The total sesame seeds export accounted for US$ 425.6 million from April 2020 to March 2021 and for the month of January 2021 it was US$ 38.05 million.
• Guar gum: Emulsifier, thickener, and stabilizer for a wide range of foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. India exported guargum treated and pulverised worth US$ 373.27 million in FY20 and US$ 195.44 million during April 2020 to February 2021.
• Shellac: Wood polish, food and drug coatings and cosmetics. Export of shellac from India stood at US$ 87.83 million from April 2020 to March 2021 and for the month of March 2021 it was US$ 10.11 million.
• Tendu leaf: Export of bidi wrapping from India stood at US$ 5.79 million in FY20 and US$ 7.79 million in FY21 (April 2020 to February 2021).
• Tree-borne oil seeds: Biodiesel, medicines, dyes, tanning, fertilizers, pest control and varnish.
• Medicinal plants: Cosmetics and medicines.
• Bamboo, rattans, and canes: Furniture, handicraft, housing and food, paper. Bamboo export reached US$ 0.44 million in FY20 and US$ 0.46 million in FY21 (April 2020 to February 2021).

Key Markets and Export Destinations

India has been recording consistent growth in the export of NTFP over the last five years. It is the largest exporter of guar gum, sesame seeds and shellac, and the second largest exporter of medicinal plants in the world. India produces large volumes of NTFPs that are globally acknowledged for their quality. Moreover, NTFPs contributes significantly to the lives of millions of rural and forest-dependent poor people. Guar gum, vegetable saps and sesame seeds are some of the major export items. The main export destinations for guar gum are US, China and Germany.

Shellac and Forest Products Export Promotion Council (SHEFEXIL)

SHEFEXIL, formerly known as Shellac Export Promotion Council, have been working in partnership with the industry since 1957 as the catalysing agency for long-term development and export promotion of shellac and lac-based products.

Source:

• Ministry of Commerce & Industry