India is the major producer, consumer and exporter of spices in the world. India grows over 60 different varieties of spices because of varied agro-climatic conditions and soil types. India produces more than 100 Lakh MT of spices, of which, about 15.78 Lakh MT (15%) is exported to more than 180 countries.
The Spices Board has come out against firms or entities conducting cardamom auctions without obtaining a license, saying that it is illegal and any violation in this regard would be dealt with seriously.
The Director (Marketing) of Spices Board, in a statement, said cardamom auction has been carried out through e auction centers at Puttady in Idukki and Bodinayakanur in Tamil Nadu established by the Board as well as via manual auctions in other States.
The board told stakeholders in the cardamom industry that no person will carry on business as an auctioneer or a dealer of cardamom without a license issued under the provisions of the Cardamom (Licensing and Marketing) Rules 1987 and amendments to the Spices Board Act 1986 and such order/instructions issued from time to time by the board for the development of the cardamom industry.
The Spices Board directive comes in the wake of parallel auctions run by some four to five arms without any license in Bodinayakanur and Kombai in Tamil Nadu and Kumily and Kuzhitholu near Vandanmedu in Idukki which is impacting participation of stakeholders in authorized auction centers.
Spices Board was constituted on 26th February 1987 under the Spices Board Act 1986 with the merger of the erstwhile Cardamom Board (1968) and Spices Export Promotion Council (1960).
Spices Board is one of the five Commodity Boards functioning under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
It is an autonomous body responsible for the export promotion of the 52 scheduled spices and development of Cardamom (Small & Large).
