World Spice Congress

Why is in news? 14th Edition of World Spice Congress (WSC) to be held at Mumbai from 16-18 February 2023 on the sidelines of the G20 Meet

The world’s largest exclusive business platform for the spice sector, 14th World Spice Congress (WSC), organized by Spices Board India (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India) in association with various trade and export forums, is scheduled to be held at CIDCO Exhibition and Convention Centre, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra during 16-18 February 2023

Over 1000 delegates from more than 50 countries are expected to participate in the event.

This biennial event organized by Spices Board India remains the premier platform that brings the global spice industry together to deliberate on the problems and prospects in the spices sector.

The event looks forward to deliberations on aspects such as production, processing, value addition, quality and safety, trade, and supply chain management of spices in the new normal situation.

The Regulatory Authorities from major importing countries and Ministry of Trade and Export Promotion agencies of the G-20 member countries are expected to have deliberations with Indian Spice Industry.

Theme: ‘Vision 2030: SPICES’ (Sustainability– Productivity – Innovation – Collaboration- Excellence and Safety)

In addition to the business sessions, the WSC will also have an exhibition demonstrating the strengths and capabilities of the Indian spice industry including the product range, applications in the medicinal/health areas, innovations and cutting-edge technologies

Spices Board of India:

The Spices Board is the Indian government regulatory and export promotion agency for Indian spices headed by a Chairman, rank equivalent to Joint Secretary to Government of India.

The board is headquartered in Kochi.

Spices Board was constituted in 1987 under Spices Board Act 1986 with the responsibility of production or development of cardamom and export promotion of 52 spices shown in the schedule of the Act.

The board has a state-of-the-art testing laboratory at its headquarters in Kochi. There are also regional laboratories at Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Tuticorin, Kandla and Guntur.

Through the laboratories, the Spices Board makes mandatory quality checks for spices exported from India.

Spices are sold under the brand 'Flavourit'.

The Spices Board of India has started an online campaign, called the Spice Train, to educate Indians about the country's rich spice heritage.

Spices Board provides information on several spices grown and exported from India. The Spice Park of Spices Board India for cardamom and pepper is situated at Puttady, Kerala.