The Japanese have now switched over from fermented beans products to more fish products and curry rice, Spices Board deputy director NE Cheriankunju says.

"Use of more fish products and curry rice has increased the demand for spices in Japan. Indian exporters should tap this potential market by supplying good quality spices," he says in "Spice India," a Spice Board publication.

Besides, Indian exporters will have to educate the Japanese consumers on the qualities and uses of spices and stick to the Japanese food sanitation law which restricts use of additives.

Import of spices by Japan has almost doubled in the 90s at an annual average growth rate of 12 per cent.

Spices imports by Japan touched 61,906 tonnes in 1997 against 33,637 tonnes in 1990.

Indias share in the Japanese market declined to nine per centlast year from 10 per cent in 1996.

Cheriankunju says substantial growth in imports of spices to Japan during the last two years are mainly due to the increased imports of dry ginger, pepper, chillies, cardamom, cumin and fenugreek seeds.

Future demand for spices is expected to increase in terms of different varieties and volume as there is a growing need for spices in the production of instant curry products, Cheriankunju says.

At present, approximately 40 to 50 per cent of spice consumption by food in Japan is for various curry dishes.

Under the Japanese food sanitation law, spices must undergo strict inspection for afflatoxin and live insects. Importers are also obliged to subject all imported food stuffs to inspection at the port of unloading, he said.

"A certain amount of promotional effort coupled with timely delivery of goods consistent with the required quality can help indian exports," he said.

During 1996-97 India exported 6,860 tonnes of spices worth Rs 61.62 crore as against 7,408tonnes, valued at Rs 32.14 crore, shipped during 1995-96.

India has made substantial increase in the export of value-added spices product including spice ols and oleoresins during the last two years.

Spice oils and oleoresins accounted for one third of the total exports earnings at Rs 22.66 crore.

While export of chillies, pepper, ginger and fennel seed doubled, cumin and fenugreek seed export increased by over 50 per cent.