MALAYSIA SECOND LARGEST IMPORTER OF INDIAN SPICES

By P.VIJIAN

NEW DELHI, June 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia emerged the second largest importer
of Indian spices, after the United States last year.Malaysia's imports were
worth nearly RM276 million.

Despite the global financial crunch, India's spice exports recorded a
historic high in 2007-2008, with a value of US$1.102 billion -- a 19 percent
jump in value compared to the previous period.

Imports by Malaysia had been on a gradual uptrend since 2004-2005 when it
was only at 40,355.13 metric tonnes.But this figure shot up to 62,402.36
metric tonnes during 2007-2008.

"We have been able to break into new markets and that has helped to increase
exports. The quality of our spices is very good and we control about 44 of the
world trade.

"Malaysia has been our second largest importer, buying a lot of our chillies
at 51,782.4 metric tonnes, which are then processed and re-exported," the
Kerala-based Spices Board Chairman V. J. Kurien told Bernama.

Some of Malaysia's other main spice imports were, coriander (5,072.4 metric
tonnes), small cardamom (331 metric tonnes), turmeric (2,895.4 metric tonnes)
and cumin (1,214 metric tonnes).

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United Kingdom were the other big
importers of Indian spices.

Indian farmers produce nearly 100 different varieties of spices with an
annual output of over three million metric tonnes, which are exported to more
than 150 countries. (US$1=RM3.49)
--BERNAMA