India's spices exports rose by 23 per cent to USD 359 million (around Rs 2,690 crore) in June 2020 from USD 292 million (Rs 2,190 crore) in the same month last year, Assocham said on Sunday.

A dipstick study by the chamber also noticed how the rising demand for spices in the domestic market led to a sharp increase in their prices by almost 12 per cent in June whereas the headline CPI inflation was half that level. In domestic currency, thanks to forex advantage, spices exporters raked in even better realisations which rose by 34 per cent to Rs 2,721 crore in June 2020 from Rs 2,030 crore in the comparative month a year ago, the industry chamber said quoting official data.

The country's exports in June 2020 stood at USD 21.91 billion, as compared to USD 25.01 billion in June 2019, exhibiting a contraction of 12.41 per cent.

In rupee terms, exports were Rs 1,65,898.85 crore in June 2020, as compared to Rs 1,73,682.55 crore in June 2019, registering a decline of 4.48 per cent, data released by the Commerce Ministry showed. Pepper, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin, celery, fennel, fenugreek, nutmeg, spice oils and mint products are the major spices shipped abroad. Indian spices reach almost the entire world while the main importers include the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Australia, UAE, Iran, Singapore, China and Bangladesh, among others.

"The Prime Minister noticed how demand for spices of which India is among the main producers, is increasing as more and more people rush to strengthen immunity. Thanks to the efforts of the Aayush Ministry and traditional knowledge about spices being a strong immunity builder, an increasing number of Indians are taking to higher consumption of spices. But the rising exports trend does show how the world is benefiting from these items," said Assocham Secretary General Deepak Sood.