India exports spices/spice products worth more than 4 billion US$ at present, of which more than 50% is contributed by the export of processed or value-added products of spices.

India exports more than 200 spices and value-added spice products to more than 180 countries.

In addition to the availability of a larger volume of spices for processing, value addition, and exports, India imports certain specific spices and herbs from other origins for value addition and re-export, mainly to satisfy the preferences of global consumers in terms of desired product mix, taste, pungency, flavor, etc.

From the traditional supplier of spices in whole form (bulk), India has been emerging as the premier global hub for processing of spices.

Because of the varying climates—from tropical to sub-tropical to temperate—almost all spices grow splendidly in India. In reality, almost all the states and union territories of India grow one or the other spices. Under the act of Parliament, a total of 52 spices are brought under the purview of the Spices Board. However, 109 spices are notified in the ISO list.

Medicinal Properties:

Spices were some of the most valuable items of trade in the ancient and mediaeval world. Herbalists and folk practitioners have used plant remedies for centuries, but only recently have scientists begun to study the powers of common herbs and spices. In the current setup, the anti-proliferative, anti-hypercholesterolemic, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects of spices have overriding importance, as the key health concern of mankind nowadays is diabetes, cardio-vascular diseases, arthritis, and cancer.

Spices or their active compounds could be used as possible ameliorative or preventive agents for these health disorders. Spices are rich in antioxidants, and scientific studies suggest that they are also potent inhibitors of tissue damage and inflammation caused by high levels of blood sugar and circulating lipids. Because spices have very low calorie content and are relatively inexpensive, they are reliable sources of antioxidants and other potential bioactive compounds in diet.

India: Global Processing Hub of Spices

India is the world's largest producer of spices. Since ancient days, India has been making available authentic, high-quality spices to Gulf countries, Europe, and other parts of the world. Indian spices are well known in international markets for their rich intrinsic qualities.

India, blessed with diverse agro climatic conditions, remains the 'Spice Bowl of the World', offering the largest range of spices and spice products to the global markets. The large number of cultivars and varieties of spices grown across the country come with unique and rich intrinsic qualities, which are suitable for processing and value addition to meet the diverse global requirements.

Over the years, the Indian spice industry has developed huge capacity for processing and value addition. The type of value-added products includes masala powders, curry powders, curry paste, spice blends, spice mixtures, spice-based seasonings, sauces, spice extracts, oils, oleoresins, spice-based nutraceuticals, cosmoceuticals, medicinal products, etc.

The Indian spice industry also remains a significant player as a supplier of spices and value-added spice products to many major international brands through 'private labeling' arrangements.

The Indian Spices industry has been constantly strengthening its processing and value addition capacity by adapting modern equipment and technologies for sorting/grading colour, dehydration, freeze drying, cool, cryogenic grinding technology for retaining aromas, supercritical fluid extraction for extraction of solvent-free spice oils and oleoresins, steam sterilization, advanced packaging technologies, including vacuum packaging, etc., for enhancing the quality, shelf life, and ensuring food safety.