Chapter 9 - Market & technical considerations for spices: Nutmeg & Mace case study

Abstract

Spices including cinnamon, cloves, peppers, ginger, nutmeg and mace are a major part of the export offerings from developing countries destined for developed country markets. They are produced and exported from all developing regions of the world and therefore represent interesting models and case studies of how the application of food safety and quality requirements impact the trade in this important category of foods. This chapter will look at spices exports from developing countries, with a major focus on the Far East, including India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and China, as well as Latin America and the Caribbean, among other regions. It examines specific market and technical considerations for the spice sub-sector which influence the global trade. It presents a case study of high-quality nutmeg and mace destined for European markets and the food safety, quality and other considerations and issues involved with their export, inclusive of the changes implemented in the industry over time.