Sharp increase in spice exports to India

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

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Spice exports to India have increased considerably after the introduction of zero tariff by the Indian government under the Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. Although production and demand for spices have increased Sri Lanka has not been able to meet that demand, said the Chairman of the Spices and Allied Product Producers and Traders Association (SAPPTA) K. Ramachandran at the Annual General Meeting held recently.

He said the country was losing the spice market due to its poor quality and uncleanliness as it was grown in most back gardens and called upon the plantation sector to step in to grow more spices to increase productivity. However, many plantation companies have taken to growing spices this year.

He said Sri Lankan spices particularly have a demand owing to its aroma and ninety per cent of the cinnamon exported was from Sri Lanka. Institutions such as the Department of Commerce and Agriculture, the Export Development Board, the Customs and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce have helped SAPPTA from its inception in 1984, he said.

Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Affairs, Indian High Commission Santosh Jha, the chief guest said where Sri Lankan spices were concerned India had allocated a quota of 2,500 metric tons whereas Sri Lanka had wanted a quota of 3,000 metric tons. India will open more sectors and grant concessions to import from Sri Lanka, he said.