Spice imports hit 1m tonnes again

The imports of spices crossed the 1-million-tonne mark in the last fiscal year again after FY19.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) data shows Bangladesh imported 1.056 million tonnes of spices in FY22, which was 1.31 million tonnes in FY19.

Besides, the country imported 0.926 million tonnes of spices in FY20 and 0.974 million tonnes in FY21.

In FY19, Bangladesh imported 1.007 million tonnes of onion, which was 0.665 million tonnes in FY22.

Also in FY22, the country imported 1.67 lakh tonnes of ginger, 0.5 lakh tonnes of garlic, 0.39 lakh tonnes of cumin, and 0.35 lakh tonnes of red chilli.

Bangladesh imported 54 types of spices in the last fiscal year, which was 24 in FY21, 36 in FY20, and 34 in FY19.

Among other essential spices, 28,329 tonnes of turmeric, 15,319 tonnes of cinnamon, 12,203 tonnes of dried grape, 6,612 tonnes of cardamom, 3,703 tonnes of fennel seed, 3,602 tonnes of fenugreek, 1,797 tonnes of clove, and 1,738 tonnes of black pepper were imported in FY22.

Nut, peanut, cashew nut, tomato powder, and coconut fat are also counted as spices on the import list. Bangladesh only keeps production records of onion, garlic, coriander, chilli, ginger, and black cumin.

The country produced 33.62 lakh tonnes of onion, 8.19 lakh tonnes of garlic, 3.11 lakh tonnes of chilli, 2.14 lakh tonnes of ginger, 0.64 lakh tonnes of coriander, and 0.13 lakh tonnes of black cumin in FY21, the DAE data shows.

The production of onion, garlic, and ginger shows a rising trend but that of cinnamon, cardamom, clove, and other spices remains inadequate due to unsuitable weather and soil conditions, said Habibur Rahaman Chowdhury, director-in-charge of the DAE Field Service Wing.

“However, we are trying to increase the production of the spices that we mostly import. We included spices in projects along with oilseed and pulse to boost production,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh exported 3,224 tonnes of spices in FY22.

Onion imports up again

After a decline for two consecutive years, onion imports increased by 1.2 lakh tonnes to 6.65 lakh tonnes in FY22. The country imported 10.07 lakh tonnes of onion in FY19, which dropped to 5.71 lakh tonnes in FY20 and 5.53 lakh tonnes in FY21.

Rising ginger imports

The country imported 73,279 tonnes of ginger in FY20, which increased to 1.55 lakh tonnes in FY21 and 1.67 lakh tonnes in FY22. However, Bangladesh imported 1.09 lakh tonnes of garlic in FY19.

Garlic imports fluctuate

In FY19, the country imported 0.42 lakh tonnes of garlic, which increased to 0.73 lakh tonnes in FY20. Imports dropped to 0.67 lakh tonnes in FY21 and further decreased to 0.5 lakh tonnes in FY22.

Former agriculture secretary Anwar Faruk said, “Some spices is very hard to cultivate it the country, it’s true. But the production of other spices such as onion, garlic, ginger, cinnamon. should be increased so that we can reduce import dependency.

“Even, in case of cinnamon, we have same soil and weather condition of those country we import from.

“Bangladesh no need to import onion, ginger, garlic and cinnamon if the farmers get security of the return of the cultivation cost. Government can do this by supporting several lakhs farmers in spices production. Moreover the Import should be restricted. And these tusks are not tough for the government, said the former secretary.”