Low productivity is the biggest challenge for the Indian spice industry

Ramkumar Menon, Chairman, World Spice Organisation (WSO)

The Indian spice industry stands at a pivotal crossroads, balancing tradition with the demands of a fast-changing global market. At the helm of this transformation is Ramkumar Menon, Chairman of the World Spice Organisation (WSO), whose 35-plus years of experience in the sector offers unparalleled insights. In a conversation with NUFFOODS Spectrum, Menon delves into the remarkable evolution of spice cultivation, processing, and exports while addressing the pressing challenges of quality assurance, international competition, and sustainability. As a key advocate for sustainable practices, he shares how WSO’s collaborations with global organisations have empowered Indian spice farmers and producers. Edited Excerpts:

With over 35 years in the spice industry, could you share some of the most significant changes you have seen in how spices are grown, processed, and exported?

The spice industry has evolved significantly over the last three decades. Cultivation practices have shifted towards modern, sustainable, and precision-driven techniques, focusing on yield improvement and resource efficiency. Processing has become more sophisticated with advancements in machinery for cleaning, grading, and packaging, ensuring higher quality standards. Export dynamics have been revolutionised with better logistics, compliance with stringent food safety standards, and stronger integration with international trade associations.

What do you see as the biggest challenges currently facing the spice sector in India, especially about international competition and standards?

The biggest challenges include meeting the increasingly stringent global food safety and quality standards, rising competition from other spice-exporting nations, and fluctuating international trade policies. Another big challenge faced by the spice sector in India is the lack of an adequate exportable surplus. Low productivity is another issue and all these factors together make Indian spices uncompetitive in the world market. Additionally, issues like pesticide residue management, traceability, and aligning with sustainable practices present hurdles for Indian exporters to remain competitive globally.

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