SPICES

Indian Spices Today

Today, India is the largest producer and exporter of

spices in the world; of the 109 varieties of spices listed

by the International Organization for Standardization

(ISO), the country produces about 75.

Internationally sought after, Indian spices boast of

exquisite aroma, texture and taste. Between 2008-09

and 2012-13, Indian spice exports averaged an annual

growth of 14.9 per cent in value terms.

History was made when India’s export earnings from

spices surpassed the US$ 2 billion mark in 2011–12; in

the following year, in 2012-13, the country exported

699,170 tonnes of spices valued at US$ 2,040.18 million.

India commands a formidable position in the world

spice trade.

Indian spices are exported the world over, with the US

being the largest importer, followed by China, the

UAE, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and the UK. In 2011–12,

the US accounted for 16.4 per cent of Indian spice

exports, China for 8.9 per cent, the UAE for 6.0 per

cent, Malaysia for 5.6 per cent, Saudi Arabia for 4.4 per

cent and the UK for 4.1 per cent.

Great Spices, Greater Demand

A Historical Perspective

Spices have been one of India’s many jewels for centuries

now; they are the aromatic secret behind India’s fame

and popularity as a trade destination from the ancient

times, with their powers and use whispered reverently in

ancient Sanskrit texts through the mists of time.

Long before the Christian era, Greek merchants thronged

the markets of South India buying, among other

expensive items, spices. Over time, the mystical allure of

Indian spices and other products proved too irresistible

and inspired long expeditions to the East; it seems

unbelievable today that spices were such a luxury that

men were willing to risk their lives in their quest for them.

In 1497, Vasco Da Gama, searching for a new route to the

spice lands of Asia, took his ships around the continent of

Africa to India and back to Lisbon.

Only two of the four ships survived to reach their home

port — but they brought back a cargo of spices and other

products worth 60 times the cost of the voyage.

Da Gama’s successful voyage intensified what was

growing into an international power struggle for control

over the spice trade. And for three centuries afterwards,

the nations of Western Europe — Portugal, Spain, France,

Holland and Great Britain — fought many sea-wars over

spice trade.

Strengths of the Spices

India is the prominent producer of a wide range of spices, oils and

oleoresins from spices of various grades. Spices such as Indian

pepper, chilli, turmeric, ginger and seed spices (such as cumin,

fennel, fenugreek and coriander) are all strong selling

products. The share of value-added products — which

are unmatched in the global market — is on the rise

too and now account for around 44 per cent of total

spice exports.

Source: Spices Board of India

Major Markets for Indian Spices in

2011-12 (In %)

USA

China

UAE

Malaysia

Saudi Arabia

UK

Germany

Singapore

Sri Lanka

Pakistan

Vietnam

The Netherlands

Others

16.4

8.9

6.0

5.6

4.4

4.1

3.8

3.6

3.6

3.1

2.8

2.7

35.0