Spices exports touch all-time high of Rs.17665 cr in 2016-17

The Dollar Business Bureau

The exports of spices and spice products from India have reached an all-time high of 9,47,790 tonnes, worth around Rs.17665 crores during 2016-17. 

This information was given by Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a written response to the Lok Sabha on Monday.

The shipments registered a growth of 12% in volume terms and 9% in value terms compared to a year ago. During 2015-16, the exports stood at 8,43,255 tonnes worth Rs.16238 crore. 

Sitharaman said that no target has been set by the government for export of spices as production and exports depend upon several factors like climate conditions, market forces, domestic and international demand.

“Spices Board is implementing the “Export Oriented Production, Export Development & Promotion of Spices” Scheme wherein assistance is provided to cultivators of cardamom for production of quality planting materials, replanting of old and uneconomic gardens, new planting, irrigation development programme, improved curing facilities, farm mechanisation, etc. for boosting production,” the Minister informed.

Besides, the Spices Board implements various schemes for the farmers of spices including infrastructure development for common processing facilities in Spice Parks, adoption of latest technology in processing of spices, establishing quality evaluation laboratories for sampling and testing of export shipments to meet quality standards of importing countries, imparting training to farmers on Good Agricultural Practices and providing assistance to farmers on quality improvement post-harvest, she said.