Need to invest in branding, packaging spices: Scindia

New Delhi: With the world’s food consumption basket turning organic, there is a need to invest in the branding and packaging of Indian spices, demand for which is soaring, minister of state for commerce and industry Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Wednesday.

“There is a demand for organic spices in the world. Fortunately, more than 80% of Indian spices are made organically. Growing demand for natural color and flavour is opening doors for chilly and turmeric. Our thrust is to develop better products and organic farming methods,” Scindia said after inaugurating the World Spice Congress in the capital on Wednesday.

India has been the largest producer and exporter of spices in the world, exporting 5 million tonne spices across 63 varieties. Scindia said spice growers largely depend on internal prices and the industry has reached a stage where the spice growers and producers are able to command their own prices in the international market.

“60% of our exports are in the form of value added products. Our goal is to increase the export, quality and production,” he added.

Scindia said that the Indian spice production and quality is world renowned and the thrust should now be on packaging, branding and marketing initiatives to enable the spice growers and producers to command better prices and get more margins.

“Emphasis is now in packaging and branding and development of new products and methods for growing spices. Thrust is on the marketing pro-activity in the global market. India’s value added spices is gaining more demand in the US,” said Scindia.

Pitching for investments into the Indian spices sector, Scindia said “Adequate private partnerships should be invited to boost the production of spices. I invite all the countries to consider investing in this area for which we will provide you all possible support. I guarantee you.”