March 22: Chilli exports have been lower by five per cent in the period between April 1997 and January 1998 at 37,950 tonnes valued at Rs 118 crore compared to 39,784 tonnes with a value of Rs 168 crore during the corresponding period last year.The Spices Board says the target of exporting 55,000 tonnes of chilli during this fiscal may not be met. The total chilli export in the previous year was 51,891 tonnes valued at Rs 210 crore.
Chilli export is a big potential area and the Spices Board is going to focus on this spice to boost trade, said the board's director, marketing, KPG Menon. Only five to eight per cent of the total production--which is about 11 lakh tonnes--is exported because domestic consumption needs exceeds 90 per cent. The board would provide backward linkages with growers for exporters so that the former can get a good price for their produce and plan their production according to exporters `advices'.
The average price the growers get is get is less than Rs 30 a kilo. It is slightlyhigher, averaging Rs 35, at the assembling stations from where the exporters make the purchases. The USA is the major importer followed by Sri Lanka, Singapore and Malaysia. Some of the European countries are also big potential area. The demand is more for high colour and less pungent variety because of the food habits in these countries. The developed countries are also changing over to natural colours from synthetic colours in the food processing industry. This has also increased the demand for this variety.He said that the area under production has to be increased, which according to the State statistical department was 8.7 lakh hectares in 1996.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
