India’s spice exports dip 6% in FY26 to $4.43 billion on weak demand for chilli, cumin
Chilli, the largest product in the spices export basket both in terms of volumes and value, was down by 4 and 12% respectively on reduced off-take from key buyers such as China and Bangladesh. Weak overseas demand for key spice products such as chilli and cumin have pulled down the Indian spices exports during financial year ended March 2026. Indian spices registered a 6 per cent decline in exports at $4.43 billion during 2025-26 over corresponding last year’s $4.72 billion. In volumes, the spices shipments were down 4 per cent at 17.34 lakh tonnes over corresponding last year’s 17.99 lakh tonnes. However, in rupee terms the decline was 2 per cent at ₹39,140 crore over previous year’s ₹39,994 crore. Chilli, the largest product in the spices export basket both in terms of volumes and value, was down by 4 and 12 per cent respectively on reduced off-take from key buyers such as China and Bangladesh. Chilli exports in value was down 12 per cent at $1.17 billion over previous year’s $1.34 billion. Cumin exports were down 14 per cent in volumes at 1.96 lakh tonnes over previous year’s 2.29 lakh tonnes. In value, the cumin shipments were down 28 per cent at $524.22 million from previous year’s $732 million. Spice oils and oleoresin exports were also down by 1 per cent at $528.73 million over previous year’s $535 million. Turmeric shipments were down 4 per cent at $327 million over previous year’s $341 million. Pepper exports, despite a 5 per cent drop in volumes, were up 11 per cent in value on higher realisations at $137.84 million over previous year’s $124.5 million. Other spices products that saw an increase during the year include cardamom, ginger, tamarind, coriander and curry powder and paste. Small cardamom exports were up 124 per cent at $413 million on higher volumes over previous year’s $184 million. Small cardamom export volumes also registered a 124 per cent growth at 15,050 tonne over previous year’s 6,728 tonne. Large cardamom exports saw an increase of 31 per cent at $35.52 million over previous year’s $27.02 million. Tamarind exports grew 42 per cent to $50.77 million over prevoius year’s $35.78 million. Currypowder and paste exports were up 5 per cent at $259.98 million over previous year’s $247.59 million. Exports of mint products registered a 15 per cent decline at $354 million over previous year’s $417 million.