Eggs to go on the boil

There’s a hue and cry about the soaring price of pulses, the primary source of protein for Indian vegetarians. But nonvegetarians, or more precisely eggitarians, too, don’t have it easy. Prices of their key protein source have been hitting record levels in recent months, with retail egg prices in some pockets of the country topping a record Rs. 5 this July.

Domestic egg prices seem set to soar even higher in the coming months. Data on the wholesale prices of eggs from the National Egg Coordination Committee shows that in the major consuming centres, egg prices in the first seven months of 2016 have ruled 1317 per cent higher than last year’s levels.
In Chennai, egg prices averaged Rs. 401 for a 100 this year compared to Rs. 344 last year. In Hyderabad, prices averaged Rs.359 against Rs. 305. These two cities are located in the two largest eggproducing States in India. Trends in other cities have been equally inflationary. Delhi reported prices of Rs. 357, against Rs. 318 and Mumbai Rs. 399 against Rs. 346.

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Spices Board Issues New Testing Norms for Cumin Exports

The recent incident of beetle-infested jeera (cumin seed) exports from India has once again brought the quality issue of Indian spices exports to the fore.

In order to address the issue, the Spices Board, has issued a circular requiring exporters to undergo stricter testing and quality check before shipping the consignment.

Tighter sampling norms

According to the Spice Board circular issued on Wednesday, the export consignments would need to undergo several revised procedures in sampling with immediate effect. Henceforth, the sampling intimations shall be placed one day prior to the proposed sampling date. Also, the certificate shall be issued by the Spices Board based on the undertaking on the day of stuffing – the level where most quality lapses were seen happening.

Also, now the undertakings shall be submitted to the Board before 2 pm for processing and issuing the certificate. No stuffing would be permitted without the presence of Customs/Central Excise officer. The Board has introduced random sampling at the Mundra Port (Customs Area) by the Spices Board officials for confirmatory testing of the consignments.

The Board would also undertake surveillance/ inspection at the stuffing area/Mundra port/Rajkot/Unjha during the months of April/May, the circular stated. Spices Board took serious note of the adulteration in shipments and inferior quality of cumin from Gujarat.

Threat to exports

“Since such reported shipments will affect the image and reputation of the country ass well as pose a threat to Indian cumin exports, these revised procedures are introduced with immediate effect,” it said. Bhaskar Shah of Jabs International, one of the leading spice exporters, said, “There are reports that most of the weak quality and artificial cumin is exported to South American countries. Whereas our quote is $2,500 per tonne CIF, those who export inferior quality produce quote $1,900. 

The inspection system and its enforcement are not adequate. This is affecting the image of Indian spices exports.” However, with Syria being a troubled region, India’s cumin seed exports are likely to touch 1 lakh tonnes by July.