India exports spices worth Rs 3,576cr in FY07

New Delhi, July 25 (UNI) India exported spices worth Rs 3,576 crore to more than 150 countries in the fiscal 2006-07.

Of more than four-million-tonne of spices produced by the country, India exported 180 spices and its products, which includes mint products (Rs 1,100 crore), chillies (Rs 807 crore), oils and oleoresins (Rs 511 crore) and pepper (Rs 306 crore), according to an official data released today.

Out of the 2,545 registered exporters and 430 manufacturer-exporters of spices, 100 exporters, comprising just about four per cent, contributed over 80 per cent of the total export, the statement said.

Meanwhile, the Spices Board has decided to launch electronic auction of cardamom next month in a bid to bring transparency in bidding process.

The Board proposes to set up regional quality control laboratories at Guntur, Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi. It will also establish spices parks at Chhindwara (MP), Idukki (Kerala), Erode (TN), Guntur (AP), Barabanki (UP), and Kota and Jalore (Rajasthan).

Building infrastructure for all this will cost Rs 1,000 crore during the 11th Plan, the statement further added.

UNI