Regulatory alignment, scientific interpretation of standards and structured compliance systems will define the global spice industry’s trajectory towards 2030.
Addressing the session on “The World of Spices in 2030: The Evolving Spice Regulatory Landscape,” Ramkumar Menon, Chairman of the Technical Committee of AISEF and Chairman of the World Spice Organisation (WSO), said the industry must move from reactive crisis management to preventive compliance frameworks. “The direction of global regulation is clear. Legal certainty and harmonised interpretation are essential if exporters are to invest confidently in compliance,” he said.
Maximum Residue Limits, contaminant thresholds and lab-to-lab testing variations continue to create uncertainty for producing countries. With rising non-tariff measures in the EU and the US, he stressed that science-based interpretation must prevail.
“Compliance should be predictable and globally harmonised. Collaboration between regulators, associations and accredited laboratories is critical,” Menon said.
Global trade data presented at the session showed the spice market at $20–22 billion with a projected growth rate of 6 to 7.5 per cent. India’s exports stand at $4.72 billion with projected growth of 5 to 6 per cent, while Europe — a key high-value destination — is expected to grow at 7.6 per cent annually to reach $1.58 billion by 2030. Europe currently imports about 450,000 tonnes of spices and herbs each year from developing countries, accounting for over one-fifth of global trade volumes.
Laura Shumow, Executive Director of the American Spice Trade Association, said consumer perception is increasingly shaping regulatory action. “Confidence in the safety of imported foods has weakened, and that perception directly influences policy,” she said, highlighting scrutiny around contaminants such as ethylene oxide, pesticides and heavy metals. “Preventive integrity protects market access.”
Stefano Trumpy, Chairman of the European Spice Association’s (ESA) Technical Commission, called for harmonised enforcement within the EU. Science-based interpretation is essential for legal certainty. Industry cannot invest where expectations are unclear, he said, advocating proportionate risk-based assessment.
Hoang Thi Lien, Chairperson of the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA), emphasised stronger governance at origin and closer dialogue between exporting countries and importing regulators to ease trade disruptions caused by evolving standards and enhanced border controls.
Published on February 25, 2026