NEW DELHI: Some exporters are flouting export norms and adulterating jeera before shipping it out of the country, two leading industry officials said on condition of anonymity. The adulteration of export-quality jeera is continuing despite stringent measures put in place by the Spices Board India.
The sources claimed that around 10,000-15,000 tn adulterated jeera has already been shipped out since the new crop began arriving in February. India is likely to have exported 40,000 tn jeera during this period.
"These exports (of adulterated jeera) are done mainly to Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, Dubai and South America among other underdeveloped nations," a trade official said. Jeera is the second largest spice in India's export basket by volume and third largest in value terms.
Last year, officials of the Spices Board and Food & Drugs Control Administration had seized export consignments of jeera after it was found adulterated with extraneous substances higher than the permissible limit of 3%.
Traders mix grass seeds and dill seeds coloured with charcoal dust to give it the look of cumin seed, sources said. A tonne of jeera was exported for $2,200-$2,500, while dill seed costs $700-$800 per tn.
Since 2017, the Spices Board India has tightened norms to stop adulteration in spices, which has only risen in the past few years. Though Spices Board India officials declined to confirm any complaints from jeera-importing nations, there have been complaints of delivery of adulterated spices on exchanges. In Apr-Dec, India exported 137,000 tn jeera, up 31% from a year ago. End US$1 = 68.81 rupees.
