Spices worth Rs 393 cr exported in September

Kochi, Oct 21 (UNI) A total quantity of 29,600 tonnes of spices valued at Rs 392.96 crore was exported from India, during September this year, as against 34,828 tonnes valued at Rs 379.42 crore in the corresponding period last year.

The major items exported were chilli, cumin, mint products, spice oils and oleoresins, pepper and turmeric, according to a Spices Board release here.

The cumulative spices export during the first half of the fiscal was estimated at 253,550 tonnes valued at Rs 2,660.75 crore as against 233,825 tonnes valued at Rs 2,329.51 crore in the same period last year.

Compared to last year, export had shown an increase of eight per cent in terms of quantity and an increase of 14 per cent in rupee value. Spices and oleoresins, including mint products contributed 40 per cent of the total export earnings while chilli contributed 22 per cent, cumin nine per cent, pepper eight per cent and turmeric five per cent.

Though the export of most of the major spices increased both in terms of quantity and value in the first half of the fiscal, the export of pepper and mint products had declined in quantity and value.

During the period, the export of pepper was 12,750 tonnes valued at Rs 215.70 crore, as against 19,165 tonnes valued at Rs 279.15 crore last year. The average export price of pepper had gone up from Rs 145.66 per kg in 2007 to Rs 169.18 per kg in 2008, the release added.

In the same period, a total quantity of 7,250 tonnes of curry powder valued at Rs 81.9 crore was exported, as against 5,530 tonnes at Rs 53.28 crore last year. The export of spice oils and oleoresins was 4,075 tonnes valued at Rs 403.47 crore, as against 3,235 tonnes at Rs 272.3 crore of last year registering an increase of 48 per cent in value terms.

UNI MA ROY 1327