Driven by a rising demand amongst both the Indian Diaspora and native clientele abroad, the country's pickles exports have risen a massive 45.4 per cent to 56,384 tonnes in 2002-03 from 38,758 tonnes in the previous fiscal.

This year exports are expected to be over 65,000 tonnes.

According to the latest official data, the value fetched has also been on the rise and was a significant Rs 154.16 crore (Rs 1.541 billion) during the period against Rs 120.34 crore (Rs 1.203 billion) in 2001-02, an increase of 28.3 per cent.

"We have made vital inroads into the United States market, there is great demand for the 'chutneys' in the United Kingdom, while West Asia continues to be the traditional market," National Achaar Murabba Association President Om Prakash Sahu said.

He said while on one hand as Indians in large numbers make their way towards the west, demand has risen and on the other, changing taste of the western palette too has led to an increase in exports.

Sahu said exporters are trying ingenious ways to penetrate the health and quality conscious market in the West.

Packaging has improved significantly with sellers putting mini-boxes of different varieties in a single larger box.

According to one market source, one such box which is in great demand abroad is the 'Granny's.'

Commodity service provider NNS Online Pvt Ltd managing director Rajesh Gupta said there was an urgent need to upgrade processing standards on par with global standards.

He said unfortunately the sector continued to remain highly unorganised and the issue will be delved at length at a national conclave next week.

Total trade of the pickles-murabbas industry has also risen to an estimated Rs 406 crore (Rs 4.06 billion) in 2002-03 from Rs 369 crore (Rs 3.69 billion) in the previous fiscal.

However, it is difficult to arrive at detailed and authentic data as for many, particularly in the north, the pickle-chutney business is a household activity being carried forward from generation to generation.

Sahu said while the international pickle trade is on the upswing and prices fetched too are rising, India is unable to fully tap the potential since the sector is unorganised and there is no focused policy support from the government.

He said very few of the Indian enterprises were in a position to meet the international food standards.

The national conclave to be held this weekend will seek to address this issue as it will be attended by traders, manufacturers and government officials.

The idea is to expand India's agri-exports basket beyond traditional commodities like wheat and rice and upgrade both technologies and quality, Gupta said.

"Pickles and murabbas are most preferred delicacies of the country. Even the multinationals are vying to enter this trade creating new challenges for the domestic industry," he pointed out.

He said the need to meet the challenges being faced by the domestic industry and better 'organise' this hitherto unorganised sector will be discussed threadbare at the national conclave.

The industry will also be apprised about the emerging export opportunities in various countries, Sahu said.

The seminar will be inaugurated by Delhi's Industry Minister Mangat Ram Singhal.