14th World Spice Congress 2023 To Unfold Newer Opportunities in Spice Trade

Since its inception in 1990, the World Spice Congress could successfully contribute to upholding India's leadership in the spices trade besides bringing together global perspectives in the sector.

WSC 2023 will provide a platform for the stakeholders to discuss the latest trends in the industry after COVID-19, emerging challenges and the way forward. The event has special business sessions dedicated to promoting the spice trade and a Reverse Buyer Seller Meet (RBSM) with importers and invitees on the second day.

India is considered the 'Spice Bowl of the world' since ancient times and no other country produces as many spices as India does. Out of the 109 spices listed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), India produces over 75 varieties.

Export of Spices From India

Export of spices from India during 2022-23 was valued at Rs.31761.38 crores as against Rs.30324.32 crores during 2021-22. The major contributors in the spices export basket in terms of value were Chilli (33%), Cumin (13%), Spice oil & Oleoresins (13%), Mint Products (11%), Turmeric (5%), Curry Powder (4%), Cardamom (Small) (3%) and Pepper (2%) which all together contributed to more than 80% of the total export earnings of spices.

India is considered the 'Spice Bowl of the World' since ancient times and no other country produces as many spices as India does. Out of the 109 spices listed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), India produces over 75 varieties.

Export of spices from India during 2022-23 was valued at Rs.31761.38 crores as against Rs.30324.32 crores during 2021-22. The major contributors in the spices export basket in terms of value were Chilli (33%), Cumin (13%), Spice oil & Oleoresins (13%), Mint Products (11%), Turmeric (5%), Curry Powder (4%), Cardamom (Small) (3%) and Pepper (2%) which all together contributed to more than 80% of the total export earnings of spices.

Imports of Spices in India

The major importers of Indian spices during 2022-23 were China (20%), USA (14%), Bangladesh (7%), UAE (6%), Thailand (5%), Indonesia (4%) Malaysia (4%), UK (3%), Sri Lanka (3%), Germany (2%), Netherlands (2%), Nepal (2%), and Saudi Arabia (2%) contributing more than 70% of the export earnings of spices. Out of the top 11 destinations, exports to seven major destinations increased during FY 2022-23.

In the current year, spices export registered an increase of 60% in volume, 57% in rupee terms and 48% in dollar terms of value in May 2023 compared to May 2022. The export performance for April-May 2023 shows a major increase over the previous year (40 % quantity and value terms in Rupees, and 31% in USD) on account of increased export of spices such as Chilli, Coriander, Cumin, Fennel, Garlic, Nutmeg and Mace, Turmeric, etc.

World Spice Congress 2023 Theme

The theme of WSC 2023 is 'VISION 2030: S-P-I-C-E-S' (Sustainability, Productivity, Innovation, Collaboration, Excellence and Safety). The sessions of WSC 2023 will address crops and market forecasts and trends; food safety and quality standards and certifications; trends and opportunities for spices in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, innovative and preventive health care products; spice-based seasonings and functional food products; ready-to-use/cook/ drink products; trends and opportunities for spice oils and oleoresins, consumer preferences and emerging trends; reliability and integrity in supply chain management, international requirements on packaging, trends and opportunities in global spice markets, etc.