Strengthening India's Spice Industry

Strengthening India's Spice Industry

Why in the News?

The World Spice Organisation (WSO) has highlighted that although India is the largest producer of spices globally, it controls only 0.7% of the global seasoning market. The WSO has called for increased production and value addition to help India meet its target of USD 10 billion in spice exports by 2030.

Note: The WSO, based in Kochi, Kerala, is a non-profit organization dedicated to food safety, sustainability, and biodiversity in the spice industry.

Current Status of Spice Production in India

• Production: In 2022-23, India produced 11.14 million tonnes of spices, a slight increase from the 11.12 million tonnes in 2021-22.
• India produces 75 out of 109 spice varieties recognized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Key spices include chilli, cumin, turmeric, ginger, and coriander, which account for 76% of the total spice production.
• In FY23, garlic, ginger, and chilli were the top three most produced spices.
• Major Spices-Producing States: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Assam, among others.
• Exports: India exports a range of spices, including pepper, cardamom, celery, fennel, fenugreek, garlic, nutmeg, curry powder, and spice oils.
  • In 2023-2024, India exported spices worth USD 4.4 billion (approximately 14 lakh tonnes). Chilli accounted for 31% of the total spice exports.
  • India exports spices to 200 countries, with key markets including China, Bangladesh, West Asia, and the US.

Concerns:
Despite being the leader in raw spice exports, India holds only 0.7% of the global seasoning market, lagging behind China (12%) and the US (11%).
This is largely due to low value addition, with just 48% of exports being processed products.
Additional challenges include:

• Adulteration and pesticide residues, which have led to export rejections, harming India’s reputation in international markets.
• Rising competition from countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil, China, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar.
• Traditional crop varieties, poor processing techniques, and inadequate post-harvest handling result in reduced quality and shelf life of spices.
• Limited mechanization increases production costs and lowers efficiency.

Measures to Expand Market Share:
India should aim to increase its share of value-added spices to 70%.

• Agro-climatic Diversity: India’s 15 agro-climatic zones support the cultivation of diverse spice varieties. Developing high-yielding, climate-resistant varieties can help boost production and enhance exports.

Government Initiatives to Promote Spice Production & Exports

• Spices Board of India (SBI): Established under the Spices Board Act 1986, it functions under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. The SBI is headquartered in Kochi, Kerala, and promotes 52 spice varieties, ensures quality control, supports research, and connects Indian exporters to global markets.
• National Sustainable Spice Program (NSSP): This initiative, led by the SBI and WSO, brings together stakeholders to address sustainability in India’s spice industry.
• Spices Parks: The SBI has set up eight spice-specific parks across India to support farmers in post-harvest handling, value addition, and ensuring better pricing for their produce.
• Spice Complex in Sikkim: This project is aimed at enhancing spice processing and value addition in the Northeastern region of India.

Drishti Mains Question:
What are the key challenges faced by India’s spice industry in terms of competition, quality control, and processing? Suggest measures to address these issues.

---

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs):
Prelims:
Q. The staple commodities exported by the English East India Company from Bengal in the mid-18th century were: (2018)
(a) Raw cotton, oil-seeds, and opium
(b) Sugar, salt, zinc, and lead
(c) Copper, silver, gold, spices, and tea
(d) Cotton, silk, saltpetre, and opium
Ans: (d)

Q. In the production of saffron, which part of the plant is used? (2009)
(a) Leaf
(b) Petal
(c) Sepal
(d) Stigma
Ans: (d)
Saffron is one of the most expensive spices globally, made from the stigma of the saffron crocus flower. The stigma, part of the female reproductive system of the flower, plays a crucial role in pollination. Therefore, the correct answer is (d).

Tags : UPSC 2025 current affairs preparation, UPSC current affairs January 2025, UPSC 2025 daily current affairs, Best sources for UPSC current affairs 2025, UPSC 2025 current affairs for prelims, UPSC 2025 current affairs for mains, Important current affairs for UPSC 2025, UPSC current affairs strategy 2025, UPSC 2025 current affairs notes, UPSC current affairs PDF 2025, Current affairs for UPSC 2025 preparation, UPSC 2025 current affairs online classes, UPSC current affairs quiz 2025, How to study current affairs for UPSC 2025, UPSC 2025 current affairs magazines, Current affairs for UPSC 2025 prelims and mains, Current affairs updates for UPSC 2025, UPSC 2025 current affairs analysis, Current affairs for UPSC 2025 PDF download, UPSC 2025 current affairs important topics, UPSC reading comprehension tips, UPSC reading comprehension practice papers,  UPSC reading comprehension strategy, UPSC reading comprehension questions,  UPSC reading comprehension exercises,  How to improve reading comprehension for UPSC, UPSC reading comprehension question papers PDF,  Important reading comprehension topics for UPSC, UPSC reading comprehension passage solutions, UPSC reading comprehension best books, UPSC GS reading comprehension examples, UPSC Prelims reading comprehension preparation,