Date:20/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/20/stories/2008082060190500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Guntur

Boom in chilli export

GUNTUR: Exports of chillies touched a record 2.09 lakh tonnes in 2007-08, valued at Rs.1,097.50 crores, making the country one of the biggest chilli exporters in the global market. This was 155 per cent above the targeted exports of 1.35 lakh tonnes valued at Rs.675 crores.

India exported 1.48 lakh metric tonnes of chillies in 2006-07, valued at Rs.807.75 crores. The chillies export accounted for 47 per cent share in volume and 25 per cent of value of the total export of spices and spice products from India.

Export of spices has crossed $1 billion mark with a total of 4.44 lakh tonnes of spices and allied products valued at Rs.4,435.50 crores . India has a share of 45 per cent in volume and over 40 per cent in value terms in the total world trade in spices with a value of $2,000 million.