Export of spices crosses Rs 3,000 crore

Jaipur, Apr 26 (UNI) The export of spices which was at a modest level of Rs 785.89 crore in 1995-1996 has recorded multifold rise to cross Rs 3,000 crore mark by February this year.

A Spices Board (India) Spokesman told UNI here that turmeric (whole) and paprika Oleoresin from Tamil Nadu, black pepper from Kerala and Karnataka, mustard, corriander and dill seeds from Rajasthan and other such spices and condiments are gaining popularity in various countries like Poland, Israel, Lativia, Slovakia, Nepal, Ukrain, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

He said export of spices which was targeted at Rs 2,500 crore during 2006-2007 had already exceeded the target and crossed Rs 3,020 crore mark by February end this year and was expected to go up around Rs 3,500 crore by the March end.

As compared to the achievement, the export earnings from these commodities were Rs 2,100 crore in 2005-2006, the spokesman said.

Hot indian chilly earned the highest revenue in the year. Various states of the country had exported around 1,12,000 tonnes of chilly to earn around Rs 596.5 crore followed by pepper which fetched Rs 266 crore.

Besides this, cumin fetched export earning of around Rs 185.8 crore turmeric around Rs 149.2 crore, corriander around Rs 65.7 crore ginger Rs 34.5 crore, and garlic Rs 20.7 crore.

Mint products export also achieved impressive results with 14,250 tonnes of products fetching around Rs 963.7 crore during the period, the spokesman added.

UNI