Market Opportunities for Coriander in Asian Countries

Introduction

Medicinal and aromatic plants have been very popular in all the times, for the culinary, medical and many other purposes. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is a popular medical plant, which is widely used as a spice crop with a critical role in flavoring food and also in pharmacy and in food industries. Coriander is a tropical crop and mainly grown in Rabi season. India is the largest producer, exporter and consumer of coriander in the world. Pakistan as well as Malaysia are the major importer of coriander from India.

The essential oil of coriander is extracted from the seeds of coriander/cilantro. It consists of compounds like borneol, cineole, cymene, dipentene, linalool, phellandrene etc. Coriander is famous as a spice worldwide and also has various medicinal properties. Coriander essential oil can be a great product for the export in north eastern countries.  

Rajasthan is the 2^nd largest coriander producing state in India (Madhya Pradesh being the first) and it contributes up to 62% of India’s total production. The coriander crop is mainly grown in Hadoti region of Rajasthan which comprises of Kota, Bundi, Baran, and Jhalawar districts. Palayatha (Baran) is one of the potential coriander producing area with the production of 343 Million Tonnes. CO1 and CO2 are the main coriander varieties which are being used in Rajasthan. Spice Parks at Kota and Jodhpur have been established by Indian Spice Board for supporting the storage and processing of coriander seeds. Also, National Agriculture Research System (NARS) and NRC spices supports in advances in coriander production technology.

               

Use of Coriander

The plant is useful for flavoring curries and the roots, steams, leaves and fruits of the plant have an aromatic odour. Use of Coriander oil helps in weight loss, treats spasms, eliminates gas, Purifies the blood, reduces pain, act as deodorant, tones stomach etc. Coriander leaves mainly used as a flavoring agent.

Opportunities for export

With the changing lifestyle & eating habits of the consumers across the world the demand for the healthy food products is increasing. With the increasing popularity of Asian food within the world the demand for coriander seeds is increasing. One of the major consumers of coriander is the Asian countries where the demand is continues growing. Coriander seeds can be also be used for essential oil production. According to the DGCIS’s export data, 35% more coriander is exported during April- January period. In the current financial year (2018-2019), coriander export was about 41,235 tonnes; this is the highest ever recorded coriander seed export until now.

Major Products of coriander

Coriander oil, Coriander powder, Coriander Flakes, Coriander seeds are some of the products having a great demand in the foreign market specially coriander oil and oleoresins they are primarily used in seasoning for sausages and other meat products. Coriander oil and leaves are mainly used as a food flavoring agent.

Global Scenario

Major coriander producing countries are India, Morocco, Canada, Russia and Ukraine. India leads in global scenario by producing one – third of the total global production. Coriander is cultivated all over the world for green leaves; seed production is largely done in India.

Export Scenario 

India dominates the world market in terms of export. It exports coriander mainly to Malaysia and Pakistan under the different HS coding 33019023 09109929, 09042221, 7099920, 6049000, etc for coriander oleoresins, seed leaves and coriander seed. India accounts for about 80%of the total world coriander production. India exports about 25,000 to 30,000 tonnes of coriander per year. The coriander export in 2018-19 was about 41,235 tonnes compared with 30,500 tonnes previous year. Domestically, India consumes 50% of its coriander production. The export of coriander has increase significantly in past few years due to strong demand from the overseas market.

Administrative aspect

Indian coriander is an export basket; it exports whole seeds 64.14% and coriander powder 32.27% in terms of total share. The export market for value added products of coriander is very nominal such as for oil and oleoresins. Coriander export can be increased through proper evaluation of the value chain, consultation with major stakeholders including farmers, consumers, processors, traders and with the help of public and private institutions. Resource mapping should be done through identification of major markets, mandis etc.

References

https://www.mpuat.ac.in/images/editorFiles/file/AMIC/Rajasthan-Coriander%20Forecast%20pre%20sowing%20_10-oct-2011_2_.pdf

http://www.agriculture.rajasthan.gov.in/content/dam/agriculture/Rajasthan%20Agricultural%20Competitiveness%20Project/valuechainreport/RACP_VC_Coriander.pdf

https://www.intechopen.com/books/potential-of-essential-oils/coriander-and-its-phytoconstituents-for-the-beneficial-effects

https://www.indianspices.com/marketing/trade/trade-classification-itc-hs-code.html

https://agriexchange.apeda.gov.in/India%20Production/India_Productions.aspx?hscode=1102

http://www.agriculture.rajasthan.gov.in/content/dam/agriculture/Rajasthan%20Agricultural%20Competitiveness%20Project/valuechainreport/RACP_VC_Coriander.pdf

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.drweil.com%2Fdiet-nutrition%2Fcooking-cookware%2Fcooking-with-spices-cilantro%2F&psig=AOvVaw2lktzySlXtvqq5o2-1YXt3&ust=1585994621831000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCMj-kMqAzOgCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAF