World Spice Organisation (WSO)

News: As per the World Spice Organisation (WSO), despite being the world’s largest producer and exporter of a wide variety of spices, India holds a meager 0.7% share in the global seasoning market, which is valued at $14 billion in 2024. In contrast, China commands 12%, while the U.S. holds an 11% share.

About World Spice Organisation (WSO)

• WSO is a not-for-profit organization established in 2011 in Kochi, Kerala, the spice capital of India.
• It is registered under the Travancore Cochin Literary, Scientific, and Charitable Societies Act, 1956.
• The primary objective of WSO is to facilitate the Spice Industry in addressing challenges related to food safety and sustainability.
• WSO works by engaging all stakeholders, including the general public, industry, academia, and end-users, to achieve its goals.
• The organization also aims to strengthen the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of the spice industry.
• WSO recognizes that efforts to ensure food safety and sustainability should begin at the farm level, as major challenges such as low productivity and the presence of harmful agrochemicals originate there.
• WSO collaborates with leading national and international organizations such as Spices Board India, Indian Institute of Spice Research (IISR), Rainforest Alliance, GIZ (Germany), and IDH – The Sustainable Trade Initiative (Netherlands).
• WSO also interacts with global spice associations like the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA), European Spice Association (ESA), International Pepper Community (IPC), etc to resolve issues facing the spice industry.
• The organization is also involved in national and international standard-setting processes related to spices, including FSSAI, BIS, ISO, and Codex, ensuring that the industry’s interests are represented in regulatory frameworks.
• It is the technical partner of the All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF).