Abstract:
The central objective of the present study is to analyze the present
status of trade in four major plantation commodities (Black Pepper, Tea,
Coffee and Cardamom) and identify the issues for further research. Due
to growing domestic demand and emergence of new low cost producers
like Vietnam on the one hand and emergence of European countries in
exporting value added products in the international market on the other,
India is losing export competitiveness in the international market.
However, India has the opportunity in exporting value added pepper,
tea and coffee in the international market, especially in European market.
ASEAN countries are source of low priced pepper, tea and coffee. There
is high possibility that Vietnam may increase its exports to India. Is it a
concern for India’s plantation economy? Can India re- export by
importing low priced pepper, tea and coffee from ASEAN? The paper
makes the case for enabling policy interventions specific to commodities
and thereby the development of infrastructure which would encourage
value addition and re-exports.
