a) whether the Government is aware that large deals for export of various spices such as turmeric powder, coriander powder chilli powder and dry ginger powder have been undertaken by big traders recently;
b) if so, the details thereof;
c) whether such large exports of spices have led or are likely to lead to shortage of these spices in the country; and
d) if so, whether the Government proposes to import these spices into the country to meet their shortage and if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)
(a) to (d): India is the largest producer and exporter of spices in the world. The annual production of spices in the country is around 6 million tones, out of which about 12 to 14% is exported while the rest is available for domestic consumption. Spice processing units and traders regularly export spices e.g. turmeric powder, coriander powder, chilli powder, dry ginger powder etc in various forms including value added forms and earn valuable foreign exchange for the country.
No shortage is expected in supply of major spices like chilli, ginger, turmeric, coriander etc. in the domestic market on account of export. The details of production and export of spices such as turmeric, coriander, chilli and ginger along with the percentage of export in production during the last three years is given at the Annexure 1.
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Annexure 1
Spice/Year Production (MT) Export (*) (MT) % of export in production
Turmeric
2012-13 986690 88513 9 %
2013-14 1092630 77500 7%
2014-15 844470 86000 10%
Coriander
2012-13 503240 35902 7 %
2013-14 496240 45750 9 %
2014-15 462270 46000 10 %
Chilli
2012-13 1378400 301000 22%
2013-14 1376400 312500 23%
2014-15 1631320 347000 21%
Ginger
2012-13 669350 22207 3 %
2013-14 683160 23300 3 %
2014-15 755950 40400 5 %
(*) including whole, powder etc.
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