High price and sustained demand helped spice exports reach 72% of the revenue target fixed for FY11 in the first seven months. Volume of exports from April to October was higher by 6% against the same period last fiscal and value of total exports soared 13% to Rs 3,685.25 crore ($805.10 million).
According to a data provided by the state-run Spices Board, 3,17,800 tonne of spices and its products were exported from the country during April-October against 2,99,250 tonne for Rs 3,260.08 crore ($675.15 million) last year. In dollar terms, the exports surged by 19%. In the last fiscal, the country exported 5,02,750 tonne of spices and products valued at Rs 5,560.50 crore ($1173.75 billion).
Pepper exports declined to 10,500 tonne against 12,250 tonne due to higher prices. Unit realisation from pepper for the seven months period stood at Rs 178.57 per kg against Rs 156.05 of last year.
Chilli exports rose 26% from a year earlier to 1,41,000 tonne. Chilli leads other spices in exports by volume and value. Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Indonesia are key buyers of Indian chilli. The drop in Chinese chilli production has also aided in pushing up exports. However, the unit value realisation of chilli export stood marginally lower at Rs 61.35 per kg against Rs 62.80 during the same period of last year.
During April-October this year, export of ginger, fennel and garlic rose both in volume and value as compared to the same period last year.
The export of value added products like curry powder, spice oils and oleoresin have also surged as compared to April-October 2009.However, in the case of cardamom (small), cardamom (large), turmeric, fenugreek and mint products the increase is in terms of value only.
Export of coriander has increased in terms of quantity only. All other spices like, cumin, celery, other seeds like mustard, aniseed, ajwanseed, nutmeg &mace and other spices like asafoetida, tamarind, have decreased both in terms of volume and value as compared to last year.