TOTAL spice exports from India in the first two months of the new 2009/10 season fell 23% in volume terms and 10% in value on a year-on-year basis. The Indian Spice Board said in a report that between April and May 2009, a total quantity of 82,435 tonnes of spices was shipped, compared with 106,375 tonnes in the same period last year. This volume was valued at Rs8.2bn ($167.41m), down from Rs9.2bn in 2008. Chilli exports over the two months almost halved to 26,000 tonnes from 50,275 tonnes previously, with cumin shipments also down 13% to 9,750 tonnes, compared with 11,185 tonnes. Pepper sales dropped 46% to 3,000 tonnes in April to May 2009, from 5,580 tonnes... Read More