A Solution to the Lack of MRLs on Spices

The international trade in spices is unique in that about 90% of the exports are from developing countries and almost all import markets are in more industrialized nations. The world trade in spices amounts to 1.5 million tons valued at about 3 billion USD with projected increases of 2% to 5% annually [2]. Of these exports, 33% come from developing countries with per capita incomes of less than 

000 USD [3], The leading exporters are China, India, Madagascar, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brazil, Guatemala, and Sri Lanka while the main importers are the United States, Europe, and Japan. 

Numerous trade disruptions have occurred over the past years as a result of the lack of national and Codex MRLs for spices. Dried chili peppers have suffered the most detentions. In India alone, from 1999 to 2001, the reported losses in revenues ranged from 4.4 to 6.1 million USD [4]. Notifications in the EU Food Alert System often show rejection of consignments of spices from Asia due to residues of pesticides. Considering the main producers are small farm holders in developing countries that rely mainly on trade in spices for subsistence, the importance of establishing residue limits for pesticides used on spices was brought to the attention of the CCPR in 2000. 

---