Spices are the core ingredients of not just Indian dishes but also other cuisines around the world. Aromatic and full of flavor, these may be seeds, fruits, bark, or other dried plant substances used to add color or taste to food. Some essential spices that can level up any bland dish are cardamom, turmeric, anise, saffron, chiles, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, ginger, peppercorns, and nutmeg, among others. Different cultures use their blend of spices to create iconic dishes that are loved by all. A few of them are the garam masala blend of India, Moroccan ras el hanout of Africa, Jamaican jerk of America, Chinese five spice from East Asia, Quatre épices from France, and Za'atar from the Middle East.

The global seasoning and spices market size was valued at USD 35.38 billion in 2021 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6% from 2022 to 2030. In India, the spice market was valued at INR 72,900 crore in 2021. As consumers' tastes evolve, a new demand is created to provide high-quality spices that follow safety standards worldwide. This is leading to the market's growth in India. From 2023 to 2028, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.20% to reach a value of nearly INR 1,23,613 crore by 2027. 

Growth of the spice market in India

The increasing demand for innovative flavors, authentic cuisines, and ethnic tastes in foods and snacks is augmenting the market for spices in India. Jitendra Kumar Sharma, founder and chief executive officer of Jaivik Foods, commented, "Spices are an integral part of Indian cuisine and have been used for centuries to add flavor and aroma to dishes. With the growing demand for new and exciting flavors, the spice market in India is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend."

Nirav Sampat, managing director of Vedic Pac-Systems, shared his views and said, "Overall, the market is growing. Mixed spices with oleoresins and biryani masalas with whole cardamom and nutmeg grow at a healthy clip. Consumers are moving to organized producers such as Everest Masala and MTR due to perceived higher quality."

Technology shows the way forward

New technology is being implemented along the entire value chain, from cleaning and grinding the spices, and advanced storage conditions, to better and more accurate recipe management. Nirav Sampat added, "Newer recipes being introduced in the market and superior packaging technology such as monetization and better packaging material are contributing to technological advancement in the spice sector." Describing some of the technologies that help enhance the quality, aroma, and shelf life of spices, he said, "Grinding with chilled air/cryogenic grinding/closed loop handling and mixing systems, better storage conditions and superior packaging are all contributing to a better quality of spices."

Talking about food safety, Jitendra Kumar Sharma said, "Jaivik Food aims to provide highly advanced Sterilization and Pasteurization Solutions. Pasteurization is used in spice processing by exposing spores or bacteria to high enough temperatures for a certain amount of time to reduce the microbial population. This cooling and heating process is also employed to produce spices from raw ingredients or previously ground or processed spices to increase their shelf life and safety." 

He also shed light on some latest technological advancements in the spice industry, "Automation in the spice grinding processing sector has advanced at a rapid pace. Also, Computer-aided Design (CAD) systems allow for more precise designs in spice grinding machines, resulting in improved production efficiency, product quality, and fewer errors. Further, automation is becoming increasingly important in the spice-grinding processing sector, allowing plants to become more efficient and cost-effective, optimize production and improve overall product quality."

Jitendra Kumar Sharma further stated that introducing advanced grinding technologies, such as high-speed and impact mills, has enabled the processing of even finer spices, allowing for more uniform particle sizes and improved flavor intensity. 

Digitalization and innovation- The key market drivers

The impact of digitalization is visible across all industries. According to Jitendra Kumar Sharma, digitalization is a key market driver for the spice processing industry. He explained, "Digital platforms and services such as mobile apps and eCommerce sites are making it easier for spice companies to reach and engage with their target audience. This has made it easier for them to target and reach customers across India without geographical restrictions."

He believes that innovative processes, introducing innovative flavors, and product extension strategies facilitate prompt access to desired products. This helps Indian spice companies to remain competitive and in line with the latest market trends.

Meeting customer expectations

Helping customers achieve their specific requirements and expectations is important for a flourishing business. Jitendra Kumar Sharma shared that they help their customers invest in product-specific technologies to enhance product quality, consistency, and output. He added, "We ensure product traceability, cleanliness, and safety through Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) quality assurance procedures. We work closely with them to understand their short- and long-term production needs and design robust process plans and systems to support customer product delivery requirements."

Discover innovative spice processing equipment at Inter FoodTech

The 2nd edition of Inter FoodTech will take place along with its concurrent events Snack & BakeTec and Pac MechEx from 7 to 9 June 2023 in the commercial capital of India, Mumbai. The event will feature some prominent spice processing equipment manufacturers and suppliers worldwide.

Eagerly waiting for the event, Jitendra Kumar Sharma shared his plans, "For Inter FoodTech, Snack & Bake Tec, and Pac MechEx, we plan to continue to provide attendees with an immersive event experience that brings together innovators, innovators, industry thought leaders, and decision-makers in the food and snack, baking, and packaging and machinery industries. We will focus on promoting the latest and greatest products and services in the booming food and packaging industry and creating opportunities for learning and networking for our attendees."

KnitCon Solutions will showcase its complete solution for powder, solid bulk material, and liquid handling from the raw material handling to the intermediate reprocessing like storage, grinding, weighing, mixing, and bending to packaging and secondary packaging steps. The company's expertise lies in design, manufacturing, installation, and services to meet quality and international standards.

Mukhtar Pathan, director-Sales, VA Exhibitions, the organizers of Snack & BakeTec, Inter FoodTech & Pac MechEx, said, "Inter FoodTech will provide an opportunity for the food industry stakeholders to get acquainted with the best processing, packaging, and other ancillary technologies to optimize manufacturing. Knowledge seminars, live equipment demonstrations, and an opportunity to establish new business connections are the highlights of the much-awaited trade show. We invite all the food and beverage industry leaders and stakeholders to visit the event and engage in meaningful discussions."