In a decisive push to reposition India’s spice sector from a bulk supplier to a high-value global powerhouse, Union Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan called for a structural shift towards innovation, quality, and value addition at the Bharat Spices Conclave 2026 held at PHD House. The conclave emerged as a strategic platform to outline a national roadmap for doubling India’s spice economy, aligning policy reforms, industry priorities, and global market ambitions.
Bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, exporters, and agri-entrepreneurs, the conclave focused on strengthening India’s position in the global spice trade by integrating food processing, technology, and sustainability into the sector’s growth narrative.
Addressing the gathering, Paswan underlined that while India has historically dominated global spice production, the future lies in capturing greater value through processing, branding, and diversification into emerging segments such as nutraceuticals and wellness products. He stressed that India must move beyond a volume-driven model to a value-driven ecosystem that enhances farmer incomes, boosts exports, and builds global trust in Indian produce.
Highlighting policy support, the minister pointed to 100% FDI in food processing and flagship schemes like PMFME as key enablers for strengthening the spice value chain and promoting grassroots entrepreneurship. He emphasized that quality consistency and adherence to global standards are critical to avoiding export rejections and enhancing India’s credibility in international markets. Reiterating the government’s larger vision, Paswan positioned the spice sector as a vital contributor to India’s ambition of becoming a “global food basket” under the Viksit Bharat 2047 framework.
Industry voices echoed the need for a strategic pivot. Anil Rajput, Chair of the Food Processing Committee at PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noted that India produces over 60 of the world’s 109 recognized spices and exports to more than 200 countries. However, he emphasized that the next phase of growth will depend on repositioning spices as premium, value-added products that drive farmer prosperity, MSME expansion, and Brand India’s global equity.
Rajput outlined key priorities including deeper farmer integration into value chains, investment in R&D and innovation, adoption of residue-free and organic practices, and stronger public-private collaboration. He added that rising global demand for natural, health-oriented products presents a significant opportunity for Indian spices in functional foods and nutraceutical segments.
J.D. Desai, Co-Chair of the committee, highlighted that the conclave reflects a broader mission to blend India’s rich agricultural heritage with a future-ready food processing ecosystem. He stressed that innovation, sustainability, and capacity building across farming communities and MSMEs will be central to making Indian spices synonymous with quality and excellence worldwide.
Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, CEO and Secretary General of PHDCCI, emphasized that while India’s strengths lie in scale and legacy, the sector must now build strong global brands, upgrade quality infrastructure, and craft a compelling international narrative. He noted that the conclave serves as a convergence point for government, industry, and stakeholders to align on a shared vision of global leadership in the spice economy.
Deliberations at the conclave focused on strengthening the spice value chain, unlocking export opportunities, fostering innovation, and embedding sustainability across production systems. With active participation from policymakers, exporters, and domain experts, the discussions underscored a clear consensus: India’s spice sector stands at an inflection point—ready to transition from being the world’s largest producer to becoming its most trusted and value-driven supplier.
