The Hindu Business Line : Chilli exports rise on global demand

AN additional demand of 51,425 tonnes for chilli from eight countries has led to rise in its exports to a record 1.38 lakh tonnes valued at Rs 499 crore in 2004-05.

Exports of chilli during 2003 - 04 were at 86,575 tonnes valued at Rs 366.88 crore. The increase last fiscal could be mainly attributed to the additional shipments to the eight countries - Malaysia which imported 19,042 tonnes in addition to the normal imports; Bangladesh 8,400 tonnes; the US 6,050 tonnes; Sri Lanka 5,436 tonnes; Mexico 3,018 tonnes; Indonesia 2,842 tonnes; Pakistan 2,176 tonnes and the UAE 1,571 tonnes.

Besides, there was an additional export of chilli and chilli products to the European Union by around 2,000 tonnes during 2004-2005 compared to the previous year, Mr S. Kannan, Director (Marketing), Spices Board, told Business Line.

He said poor crop in other major chilli producing countries and the resultant short supply had forced global buyers to turn towards India.

Added to this, the mandatory sampling introduced by the Spices Board of chilli and chilli products consignments for the presence of Sudan I - IV and aflatoxin before shipments has boosted the confidence of the overseas buyers.

After checking the samples drawn from the consignments, a certificate is issued by the Board clearing the shipments. Probably, such a system does not seem to exist in any of the other major chilli producing and exporting countries at present, he pointed out. The highest-ever exports of chilli in the past were in 2002-03 and 2003-04 when the shipments were at 81,022 tonnes valued at Rs 315.15 crore and 86,575 tonnes worth Rs 366.88 crore respectively. In fact, till 1994-95, export of chilli remained below 50,000 tonnes.

However, from 1998 - 99, it had moved up to above 60,000 tonnes. India started exporting chilli from 1960-61 with 8,364 tonnes valued at Rs 1.76 crore at a unit value of Rs 2.10 a kg as against Rs 36.16 a kg in 2004-05 and Rs 42.88 a kg in 2003-04.

However, export of chilli to Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Spain, Sweden and Belgium registered a decline in the last fiscal, he said.

Another significant development was the performance of organic spices. Around 86 tonne of mustard seeds were exported for the first time last fiscal "as against our previous performance of 1-2 tonne. We have also exported 3.4 tonne of organic vanilla during 2004-2005 as against 0.75 tonne of it during the previous year," he said.

Besides, exports of chilli products viz., chilli powder, crushed chilli, chilli seed etc., had also increased by 5,120 tonne to 30,632 tonne during 2004-2005 from 25,512 tonne the previous year.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Say it with flowers

Hailstorm, rains hit mango crop in AP

The King

Prathista Ind launches 'first' bio-fungicide

Rubber prices increase on moderate buys

Upasi to launch `Tea Quality Competition'

No decision yet on manual sale: Coonoor tea trade body

Gold may fall after rising

`Safety norms in processed foods must'

Edible oil imports surge in April

Chilli exports rise on global demand

India moots 2-pronged plan for WTO farm talks