The Indian subcontinent has long been known to be one of the world’s top exporters of spices, and today, about 40% of all spices in the world are exported from India. In 2015, the five most exported Indian spices were cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and black pepper. When you consider how well-loved these spices are in foreign markets such as Libya, it’s no wonder that India remains an industry leader in spices exports. Let’s take a closer look at how these top five Indian spices were exported to Libya in 2021.
The global demand for spices and herbs is rising, driven by changing population demographics, increasing disposable incomes, and an evolving consumer base. The demand for a more diverse food palette is also increasing. This is not just because of the growing multiculturalism in many countries, but also because of the rise in foreign travel and the influence that this has on cuisine.
Spices feature among the most traded agricultural commodities in the world today. It is but natural that India, which is the world’s leading producer of spices, would be holding a position of prominence in this trade. The export of spices and condiments feature significantly in the total agricultural exports from the country. As per 2017-18 estimates, India exported approximately 10.28 lakh tonnes of total spices which were around 7.98 % share of total exports.
A spice is a seed, fruit, bark, root, or other plant substance used for flavoring or coloring food. Spices are different from herbs, which are the leaves, flowers, or stems of plants used for flavoring or as a garnish. In India, spices are considered as warm and “Masaley”. The Indian spices industry is one of the biggest industries in the world that makes it the biggest producer and one of the largest exporters across the globe. According to the latest research, India has exported spices worth US$ 3.63 billion in 2020 through various digital e-commerce B2B platforms.
A spice is a bark, root, flavoring agent, seed, fruit, and other plant products that enhance the aroma and taste of the food. India is often called ‘The Land of Spices.’ The history of spices dates back to the Indus Valley civilization 4000 years ago. Spices were among the few grounds for outsiders to conquer India. Most spices in India are used in powder or seed form. Some popular spice yields in India are Turmeric, Cardamom, White Pepper, Black Pepper, Clove, and Cumin. Spices from India are still in high demand in the international market. Punjab, Kerala, Gujarat, and some north-eastern states of India are the most popular for the cultivation of spices. Top Importers of spices are the USA, Hong Kong, Vietnam, China, UK, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri-Lanka, and UAE. In the fiscal year 2019, the export values of spice sum up to 231 million Rupees. The annual turnover of spice in India increases by 40,000 crores. The expansion of the spice business is a 7% gain in volume, 8% gain in currency.
India has been known as the land of spices from time immemorial. So what exactly are the spices? Spices are essentially vegetable products used for the seasoning and flavoring of foods. In the market, it can be found in powdered or seed form. Spices are added to improve the nutrition and flavor of the food.