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