Our Bureau

Kochi , Dec. 27

THE upward trend in spices exports continued with substantial increase, both in volume and value, during April-November from that of the previous fiscal.

Probably for the first time, chilli has become the major contributor to the export earnings with Rs 346.81 crore, followed by spices oils and oleoresins (Rs 305.94 crore) and the mint products (Rs 187.48 crore).

Given this trend, the total exports during 2004-05 is expected to cross the target of Rs 2,000 crore, Mr S. Kannan, Director, Marketing, Spices Board, told Business Line.

Total exports during April-November stood at 2,33,395 tonnes, valued at Rs 1,413.69 crore, as against 1,46,998 tonnes worth Rs 1,204.36 crore, an increase of 86,397 tonnes in volume and Rs 209.33 crore in value, he said.

During this period, export of chilli stood at 93,500 tonnes, valued at Rs 346.81 crore, as against 42,000 tonnes worth Rs 186.64 crore in the same period in 2003-04 and the target of 75,000 tonnes, valued at Rs 315 crore, set by the Government.

Export of coriander has increased to 28,650 tonnes, valued at Rs 67.64 crore, as against 11,000 tonnes worth Rs 40 crore in the corresponding period last financial year and the target of 18,000 tonnes valued at Rs 58.50 crore.

Similarly, there has been marginal to tangible increase in the exports of ginger, turmeric, cumin, celery, fennel, fenugreek, other seeds, vanilla, curry powder/ paste/ condiments and spices oils and oleoresins.

Pepper, garlic, other spices and mint products witnessed a sharp fall while cardamom, both small and large, showed a marginal drop.

Mr Ramkumar Menon, Chairman, All India Spices Exporters Forum, saidthe tangible increase in exports of chilli, which has crossed the target set of 75,000 tonnes for the current financial year, was due to poor crop in other producing countries such as China."If good quality chilli is made available for export at competitive prices we would be able to market the surplus in the world market as raw and valued added products," he said.