Kerala’s spice sector smiles even in face of slowdown

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s rubber planters are gloomy, its real estate sector is showing signs of demand stagnation and its retail sector is not really on a high. Amidst that cloudy backdrop, there’s a beacon of brightness shining through — its world famous spices, that have been the global rage ever since Vasco da Gama reached the Kozhikode shores way back in 1498.

“We’ve proved to be recession-proof, with the country’s six-month spices export turnover during April-November 2013 touching $1.40 billion, reflecting a 28 per cent rise in volume, 46 per cent increase in value in rupees and a 32 per cent rise in value in dollars”, Spices Board of India chairman A Jayathilak told Gulf News. A good share of that comes from Kerala, which has been the first port of call for the spice trade for more than five centuries.

The 52-spice basket that India has, from cardamom and chilli to cinnamon and mint, and from vanilla and clove to nutmeg, mace and tamarind, has been witnessing buoyant demand, and the “increased demand is testimony to the escalating faith in Indian spices”, Jayathilak said.

Matching Kerala in the spice market in a niche segment is Uttar Pradesh, which is the largest producer of mint, a spice that accounts for as much as 25 per cent of the country’s spice exports. This year, value-added spice products were the major draw in export markets, and spice oils, oleoresins, curry powders and pastes witnessed strong export sales.

“Kerala has the added advantage of a large number of expatriates around the world who would settle for nothing less than the top-quality spices from home, which has added more muscle to Kerala’s spice production and spice exports”, Jayalthilak said. Kerala also lays claim to be the producer of the best quality cardamom anywhere in the world. The state’s cardamom is rated higher in quality than that of the other major global cardamom producer, Guatemala.

India accounts for 48 per cent of global spice trade, but the Spices Board is seeking a still bigger global presence. The Board has recently established a signature stall, branded Spices of India, with plans to roll out the stores across India and around the world.