spice market Archives

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Spices – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends, and Insights.’ Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The pandemic forced us to change the way we live. People started to eat more at home, which caused some changes in the distribution channels of spices. During the lockdown, the drop in demand from retail was offset by a sharp surge in household demand.

The most exported spices in 2020 were chili pepper (2.6 million tonnes were exported) and caraway (1.53 million tonnes). There were also increases in cardamom exports (up to 369% as compared to 2019) and turmeric (up to 42%). The growing popularity of these spices during the pandemic was associated with a widely held view on their ability to increase human immunity. During the year, there were sharp jumps in the prices of some spices, such as ginger. (IndexBox estimates)

The leading exporter and producer of spices, India increased exports of these products by 19% between April and September 2020 compared to the same period the previous year. In the first 3 quarters of 2020, India exported over 800 thousand tons of spices. The total Indian exports reached over 900 thousand tons in 2020.

Driven by increasing demand for spice worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade.

Global Spice Exports to Keep on Growing

For the fourth consecutive year, the global market recorded growth in spices’ overseas shipments, which increased by 1% to 3.4M tonnes in 2019. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012 to 2019; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 14% year-to-year. Over the period under review, global exports hit record highs in 2019 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, spice exports contracted to $10.1B (IndexBox estimates) in 2019. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% from 2012 to 2019; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 18% year-to-year. Global exports peaked at $10.5B in 2018 and then reduced modestly in the following year.

India (905K tonnes) and China (798K tonnes) represented roughly 51% of spices’ total exports in 2019. It was distantly followed by Viet Nam (277K tonnes), creating an 8.2% share of total exports. The following exporters – Indonesia (128K tonnes), the Netherlands (109K tonnes), Brazil (106K tonnes), Spain (87K tonnes), Thailand (82K tonnes), Peru (58K tonnes), and Turkey (56K tonnes) – together made up 19% of total exports.

In value terms, India ($1.8B), China ($1.3B), and Viet Nam ($824M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2019, together comprising 39% of global exports. These countries were followed by Indonesia, the Netherlands, Spain, Brazil, Turkey, Peru, and Thailand, which accounted for a further 19%.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Spices – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The global spice market amounted to $33.1B in 2019, leveling off at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, the total market indicated a buoyant expansion from 2007 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at $33.7B in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2019, consumption failed to regain the momentum.

Consumption by Country

India (4.8M tonnes) remains the largest spice consuming country worldwide, comprising approx. 37% of total volume. Moreover, spice consumption in India exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Indonesia (634K tonnes), eightfold. Bangladesh (543K tonnes) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 4.1% share.

In India, spice consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the period from 2007-2019. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Indonesia (+1.9% per year) and Bangladesh (+2.1% per year).

In value terms, India ($8.6B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Indonesia ($1.9B). It was followed by Ethiopia.

In 2019, the highest levels of spice per capita consumption was registered in Nepal (14 kg per person), followed by Thailand (6.25 kg per person), Viet Nam (4 kg per person) and Turkey (3.71 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of spice was estimated at 1.69 kg per person.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of the spice per capita consumption in Nepal amounted to +4.9%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Thailand (+2.3% per year) and Viet Nam (+6.9% per year).

Market Forecast 2019-2030

Driven by increasing demand for spice worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.1% for the period from 2019 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 18M tonnes by the end of 2030.

Production

In 2019, the amount of spices produced worldwide rose modestly to 13M tonnes, growing by 4.3% against 2018 figures. Overall, the total output indicated moderate growth from 2007 to 2019: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, production increased by +60.2% against 2007 indices. Global production peaked in 2019 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a temperate expansion of the harvested area and modest growth in yield figures.

Production by Country

The country with the largest volume of spice production was India (5.7M tonnes), accounting for 42% of total volume. Moreover, spice production in India exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, China (1.2M tonnes), fivefold. Indonesia (659K tonnes) ranked third in terms of total production with a 4.9% share.

In India, spice production increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the period from 2007-2019. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: China (+3.7% per year) and Indonesia (+1.0% per year).

Harvested Area

In 2019, the global harvested area of spices amounted to 6.7M ha, increasing by 3% against the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the harvested area increased by 7% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to spice production reached the maximum in 2019 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Yield

In 2019, the global average spice yield was estimated at 2 tonne per ha, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2011 with an increase of 8.4% y-o-y. The global yield peaked at 2 tonne per ha in 2017; afterwards, it flattened through to 2019.

Imports

For the sixth consecutive year, the global market recorded growth in purchases abroad of spices, which increased by 2.8% to 3.5M tonnes in 2019. Overall, total imports indicated a temperate increase from 2007 to 2019: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum in 2019 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, spice imports totaled $10.5B (IndexBox estimates) in 2019. In general, imports recorded buoyant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2011 when imports increased by 25% year-to-year. Over the period under review, global imports also hit record highs in 2019 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2019, the U.S. (428K tonnes), followed by Viet Nam (190K tonnes) and India (172K tonnes) represented the main importers of spices, together making up 23% of total imports. The following importers – Bangladesh (154K tonnes), Malaysia (142K tonnes), Germany (137K tonnes), the Netherlands (131K tonnes), Pakistan (129K tonnes), the United Arab Emirates (116K tonnes), Saudi Arabia (109K tonnes), Japan (107K tonnes) and the UK (104K tonnes) – together made up 33% of total imports.

From 2007 to 2019, average annual rates of growth with regard to spice imports into the U.S. stood at +3.9%. At the same time, Viet Nam (+28.4%), India (+8.2%), the Netherlands (+6.3%), the UK (+4.9%), Bangladesh (+4.6%), Saudi Arabia (+4.4%), Pakistan (+3.7%), Germany (+3.5%) and the United Arab Emirates (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Viet Nam emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +28.4% from 2007-2019. Malaysia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Japan (-1.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Viet Nam (+5.2 p.p.), the U.S. (+4.6 p.p.), India (+3.1 p.p.), the Netherlands (+2 p.p.) and Bangladesh (+1.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the U.S. ($1.7B) constitutes the largest market for imported spices worldwide, comprising 16% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Germany ($597M), with a 5.7% share of global imports. It was followed by India, with a 5.1% share.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the U.S. amounted to +8.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+5.7% per year) and India (+12.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2019, the average spice import price amounted to $3,034 per tonne, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the last twelve-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.7%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 an increase of 19% year-to-year. Global import price peaked at $3,430 per tonne in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2019, import prices failed to regain the momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Germany ($4,374 per tonne), while Bangladesh ($1,132 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.