World Spice Congress at Mumbai

Spices and herbs such as black pepper, cinnamon, turmeric and cardamom have been used by the Indians for thousands of years for both culinary and health purposes. Spices indigenous to India — such as cardamom and turmeric — were cultivated as early as the 8th century BC in the gardens of Babylon.

The fact that India used to be and still is a major spice hub will be on full display at the upcoming World Spice Congress (WSC) to be held in Mumbai.

WSC is a conglomeration of the global spice industry and has become the aptest platform to discuss various issues faced by the sector.

Held under the aegis of the Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, with support from various trade and export forums, the WSC at Mumbai will provide an opportunity to get to know the sector in a better way.

Trade, sustainability, quality and food safety initiatives, recent developments, concerns and future prospects will be discussed and deliberated by the key players of the industry — producers, traders, processors, exporters and regulators from across the world.

Since its inception in 1990, the WSC has come a long way to script the history of spices that has progressed a great deal from the traditional culinary aspect to astounding utilities in food preservation, food safety, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, cosmetics, natural colourants and much more.

The Congress, to be held early next year, will discuss customized production of quality spices to meet the requirements of the consumers, thrust on organic production, ways to arrive at a consensus on the wide and varied trade and quality regulations, value addition, product innovation and new initiatives, integrating the supply chain for better output and a better understanding of the challenges and prospects of the industry.

Over 1,000 delegates from more than 50 countries are expected to participate in the event which will once again project India as the spice hub of the world.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, spices export from India has continued its upward trend during 2020-21 and has attained an all-time high of $4bn mark for the first time in the history of spices export.

During 2021-22, the export of spices/spice products from the country was 15,31,154 tonnes valued at Rs 30,576 crore ($4102.29mn), the Spices Board said.

The Board is an international link between Indian exporters and importers abroad and has been spearheading activities for the excellence of Indian spices, involving every segment of the industry.

The biennial event organized by Spices Board India remains the premier platform that brings the global spice industry together to deliberate on the problems and prospects in the spices sector.

The event looks forward to deliberations on aspects such as production, processing, value addition, quality and safety, trade, and supply chain management of spices in the new normal situation.

The regulatory authorities from major importing countries and the Ministry of Trade and Export Promotion agencies of the G20 member countries are expected to have deliberations with the Indian spice Industry.

“This time, (the) Spices Board is organizing the World Spice Congress as a G20 event on the sidelines of India’s G20 presidency for the period December 2022 to November 2023 with more focus on further strengthening India’s trade ties with the G20 countries,” Spices Board Secretary D Sathiyan informed.

Interaction with the regulatory authorities of the major importing countries and Ministers of Trade and Industry association of the G20 member countries are expected to take part in WSC 2023.

“The 14th edition of the WSC is going to be all about and only about ‘SPICES’ — Sustainability, Productivity, Innovation, Collaboration, Excellence and Safety," Sathiyan added.

Through 13 successful editions, the WSC has established a hallowed tradition, benefiting the spices stakeholders across the globe and it remains a much sought-after event amongst the global spice community. It fosters new business opportunities and strengthens trade connections.

In addition to brainstorming business sessions, WSC 2023 will have an exhibition demonstrating the strengths and capabilities of the Indian spice industry, including the product range, applications in the medicinal/health areas, innovations and cutting-edge technologies.

(Subhashis Mittra is a New Delhi-based senior journalist, freelance writer and public policy analyst.)