Spice industry should shift from bulk exports, says Amitabh Kant

Spice industry should shift decisively from bulk exports to high-value, branded and technology-driven products, said Amitabh Kant, former G20 Sherpa and former Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog, here on Monday.

Inaugurating the four-day International Spice Conference (ISC 2026), organised by the All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF), Mr. Kant said the sector stands at a critical juncture as global value chains face disruption, regulations tighten, and climate risks intensify, according to a communication

He outlined five priorities for the sector: push aggressive value addition in blends, nutraceuticals and branded products; deploy artificial intelligence and data across cultivation, processing and quality systems; build climate-resilient farming models; treat sustainability and traceability as competitive advantages rather than compliance burdens; and place small farmers, who account for over 80% of spice cultivation, at the centre of all policy and market interventions.

He said India remained the world’s largest producer, consumer, and exporter of spices, with exports crossing 1.8 million tonnes valued at over $4 billion last year.

“Our history is a reminder of our potential. The next chapter of the global spice story must again be written from India,” he said. Over 1,000 delegates from across 30 countries are attending the meet.