Traceability solutions needed for Indian spices in international markets
The Spice Board of India has set a target for exports of spices at US$5 billion by 2025 and US$10 billion by 2030, having crossed US$3 billion for the first time in the history amidst the COVID-19 crisis, said D Sathiyan, Chairman and Secretary, Spices Board of India, Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
“For achieving this target, the need of the hour is to develop infrastructure for value addition and maintain focus on quality and safety requirement of destination markets,” he told a webinar on ‘Enhancing Export competitiveness of Spices’ organized by FICCI on 1 Dec 2020.
Sathiyan also called for traceability solutions to be made an integral part of the supply chain to sustain the robust demand for Indian spices in the international market.
Right time has come for India to enhance larger share in value-added exports of spices by connecting Indian farmers to global markets through a cluster approach and leveraging new digital technologies, according to Sanjeev Bisht, Head-Spices and Aqua, ITC Ltd.
“Given our rich heritage and portfolio of locally grown spices and herbs and the expertise developed by the industry in supplying value-added products through a supply chain built on sustainability and traceability, India has the potential to grow manifold,” said Sanjay Sacheti, Co-Chairman, FICCI National Agriculture Committee & Country Head & ED, Olam Agro India Pvt Ltd.
He sees growth in exports of Indian spices and related value-added products over the next few years with suitable governmental support and strong private sector initiatives.
“To ensure quality needs of export markets in spices, it is important to invest in traceability technology,” added T R Kesavan, Chairman, FICCI National Agriculture Committee and Group President, TAFE Ltd.
This will ensure management of quality and build efficiency in the entire spice value chain starting from production, processing, and export markets, added Kesavan, highlighting the importance of research institutes to develop suitable varieties for enhancing export competitiveness of Indian spices.
The Indian Spices exports sector at US$3 billion offers a plethora of avenues for growth, added Nitin Puri, Group President and Global Head, Food & Agribusiness Strategic Advisory & Research, YES BANK.
“A combination of technology, sustainability, traceability, product innovations, value addition, infrastructure and branding can open up newer markets for the country,” believes Puri. #exports #agriculture #processing #manufacturing #investment #technologies /fiinews.com
