Introduction
India is the world’s largest spice producer. It is also the largest consumer and exporter of spices. The overall production of different types of spices has been growing rapidly over the last few years. Production in 2020-21 stood at 10.7 million tonnes growing at an 8% CAGR since 2014-15.
India produces about 75 of the 109 varieties listed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The most produced and exported spices are pepper, cardamom, chilli, ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin, celery, fennel, fenugreek, garlic, nutmeg & mace, curry powder, spice oils and oleoresins. Out of these spices, chilli, cumin, turmeric, ginger and coriander make up about 76% of the total production.
The largest spices-producing states in India are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Assam, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Exports Trend
India is the largest exporter of spice and spice items. For the year 2020-21, the country exported spices worth US$ 4.18 billion, a 34% increase from the year 2019-20. The five-year CAGR of India’s spice export was 12%.
In February 2022, the exports of spices from India increased by 7.3% to US$ 291.17 million from US$ 271.4 million in January 2022. In 2020-21, India exported 1.76 million tonnes of spices. This was a 46% increase from 2019-20 exports of 1.21 million tonnes. From 2016-17 to 2020-21, the total exported quantity from India grew at a CAGR of 17%.
For FY21, total volumes of chilli, cumin, turmeric and ginger exports were 0.65, 0.3, 0.18 and 0.15 million tonnes.
Major Export Destinations
China, the US, Vietnam, Thailand, Bangladesh, UAE, the UK, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Germany are the biggest destinations for India’s spice trade.
Government Initiatives
Export Development and Promotion of Spices
This initiative by the Spices Board of India aims to support the exporter to adopt high tech processing technologies and upgrade the existing level of technology for the development of industry and to meet the changing food safety standards of the importing countries. The initiative provides benefits of infrastructure development, promotion of Indian spice brands abroad, setting up infrastructure in the major spice growing centres, promotion of organic spices and special programmes for north-eastern entrepreneurs.
Governing Body
Spices Board of India
The Spices Board India is set up for the development and global promotion of Indian spices. It acts as a link between the Indian exporters and importers abroad. The main activities of the board involve promotion, maintenance and monitoring of quality, development of better production methods, guidance, financial and material support to growers, infrastructure facilitation and research.
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Sugandha Bhavan
N.H. By-Pass, Palarivattom P.O.
Cochin - 682025
Kerala
India
Tel.:+91-484-2333610
Fax: +91-484-2334429
Email: spicesboard@vsnl.com
Website: www.indianspices.com
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