Coinciding with India’s prestigious G20 Presidency, the World Spice Congress stands as a symbol of the country’s leading role in the global spice sector. Organized by the Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, in association with numerous trade and export forums, the congress represents a crucial meeting point for the world’s spice industry leaders.
Since its first conference in 1990, the WSC has been an essential platform in upholding India’s undisputed leadership in the spice trade, facilitating dialogue and fostering collaborations. This year’s congress promises to maintain this tradition. Expectations are high, with attendees including not only India’s key decision-makers but also policymakers, regulatory authorities, spice trade associations, and technical experts from the G20 nations.
One of the defining features of WSC 2023 is the opportunity it provides for stakeholders to engage in meaningful conversations about the future of the spice industry, especially in the post-COVID-19 world. Delegates will tackle emerging challenges and brainstorm innovative solutions. A key component of the event will be a dedicated series of business sessions promoting the spice trade, and a Reverse Buyer Seller Meet (RBSM) to connect importers with potential partners.
India’s role as the ‘Spice Bowl of the World’ dates back to ancient times, and it’s a reputation the nation still holds today. The country’s unmatched diversity in spice production, which includes over 75 varieties out of the 109 listed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), reinforces this status.
The 2022-23 fiscal year saw a surge in India’s spice exports, valued at a significant $4.33 billion, compared to $4.14 billion during the previous year. The spice market’s growth has been largely driven by the export of Chilli, Cumin, Spice oil & Oleoresins, Mint Products, Turmeric, Curry Powder, Cardamom (Small), and Pepper, collectively making up over 80% of total export earnings.
In the same fiscal year, the leading importers of Indian spices were China, USA, Bangladesh, UAE, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, UK, Sri Lanka, Germany, Netherlands, Nepal, and Saudi Arabia, together accounting for over 70% of India’s spice export earnings. Interestingly, seven out of these eleven countries increased their imports during FY 2022-23.
The WSC 2023, under the theme ‘VISION 2030: S-P-I-C-E-S’, symbolizing Sustainability, Productivity, Innovation, Collaboration, Excellence, and Safety, promises an enriching agenda. Delegates can look forward to sessions covering various subjects from market forecasts, food safety standards, and trends in spice-related pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products, to consumer preferences, supply chain management, and packaging requirements.
The congress arrives on the heels of an impressive growth in spice exports in May 2023, which saw a 60% increase in volume, 57% in rupee terms, and 48% in dollar terms compared to May 2022.
India, an unassailable global force in the cultivation, processing, and export of aromatic spices, is set to host the largest gathering in this domain since the pandemic. This prestigious event, a successor to the conference last held in 2016, anticipates official representatives from about 20 countries and indirect distributor participation from nearly 100 nations.
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