The Chillies Exporters Association India has urged the Spices Board of India to intervene urgently in a series of challenges confronting the country's chilli export sector, including overseas consignment rejections, delays in Chinese registrations and the suspension of three major export companies by Chinese authorities.

In a representation submitted to M.S. Manivannan, Secretary of the Spices Board, during his visit to the Spices Park at Edlapadu in Palnadu district, on Monday, the association said Indian exporters were facing mounting difficulties due to pesticide residue-related rejections in China, aflatoxin and moisture issues in Sri Lanka, and blacklisting of companies in Thailand.

The association, led by its general secretary Thota Rama Krishna said the three Indian companies suspended by China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) account for 20-30% of India's dry chilli exports to China, and warned that the restrictions were affecting farmer incomes, export volumes and India's credibility as a reliable supplier.

Stressing that exporters were often the final link in a long supply chain involving farmers, traders, processors and cold storages, the association said the financial losses and reputational damage disproportionately impacted exporters.

The exporters sought the Spices Board's intervention with GACC, the Ministry of Commerce, Indian diplomatic missions and other authorities to facilitate corrective action plans and expedite the lifting of the ban.

Plea for chilli cell

The association also called for the creation of a dedicated 'Chilli Cell' within the Spices Board to provide compliance guidance, market access support, GACC registration assistance and help in handling rejected consignments.

SOP for rejected stock

It further urged the Board to develop a standard operating protocol for rejected consignments in coordination with FSSAI, Customs, DGFT and Plant Quarantine authorities, while seeking faster processing of pending GACC registrations and stronger farm-to-export measures to address pesticide residues, aflatoxin contamination and moisture control.