Improved Export Performance of Spices

27-Dec-2025 11:16 AM

Thanks to improved quality, competitive pricing, and strong global demand, Indian spice exports are performing well, and the outlook remains positive. According to the latest data from the Spices Board, total spice exports from India increased to 1.07 million tonnes during the first seven months of the current financial year (April-October 2025), a nearly 14 percent increase compared to the 939,517 tonnes shipped during the same period of the previous fiscal year. However, export earnings in foreign currency slipped by 1 percent to $2.57 billion. This is attributed to the continuous depreciation of the rupee against the dollar, which has made the dollar significantly more expensive. To promote exports, India has had to keep the offer prices of its spices and spice products low, and this trend continues. Interestingly, despite a 13 percent decline in cumin exports and a 65 percent decline in fennel exports during the period under review, overall spice shipments registered a healthy increase. Celery exports also decreased by 37 percent. On the other hand, several other spices saw significant increases in exports, balancing the overall performance. It is noteworthy that India is the world's largest producer, consumer, and exporter of spices. More than 80 varieties of spices and spice products are exported from India to over 100 countries worldwide, including red chili, cumin, coriander, turmeric, black pepper, garlic, cardamom, and nutmeg-mace. Despite a high 50 percent tariff imposed by a major importing country, the US, Indian spice exports have increased. Compared to the previous year, India's exports of cumin decreased from 147,000 tonnes to 127,000 tonnes and fennel exports dropped from 60,000 tonnes to 21,000 tonnes during April-October 2025. However, exports of turmeric improved from 109,000 tonnes to 111,000 tonnes, coriander from 34,000 tonnes to 37,000 tonnes, garlic increased from 22,000 tonnes to 29,000 tonnes, fenugreek from 25,000 tonnes to 28,000 tonnes, and small cardamom exports surged from 3,700 tonnes to 6,800 tonnes.