According to FAO data, 1.15 million tons of spices were produced globally in 1993, whereas in 2012 around 2.10 million tons were produced.
Source: FAOSTAT - Click here to enlarge.
Asia produces 94.2% of global spices. India is the main producer (1.01 million tons), followed by Bangladesh (78,783 tons), China (68,605 tons), continental China (67,519 tons) and Turkey (59,056 tons).
Top-5 spice producers worldwide - 1993-2013 Average
Source: FAOSTAT - Click here to enlarge.
The European Union went from producing 4,594 tons in 1993 to 5,720 tons in 2012, with a positive peak of 5,872 tons in 2002 and a negative one of 3,102 tons in 1995.
EU spice production - 1993-2012
Source: FAOSTAT - Click here to enlarge.
Spices are divided into two main categories - those that grow in humid and tropical regions and those that grow in milder climates or in the Mediterranean.
Black pepper, chilli peppers, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg, Jamaican pepper, turmeric and vanilla prefer tropical climates, whereas aniseed, saffron, cumin and fenugreek prefer milder climates. Some, like ginger and coriander, adapt to both.
Over the centuries, spices started to be cultivated also in places other than their countries of origin. Turmeric is nowadays cultivated in almost all tropical and subtropical areas, vanilla reached Uganda and cloves arrived in Tanzania.
During EXPO 2015, one of the so-called Clusters will be dedicated to spices. There will be a display of the maps that guided explorers discovering the world and searching for spices as well as tasting sessions, installations and events.
Spices are cultivated and used in a variety of ways all over the world - the display will show how and focus on countries such as for example Afghanistan, Tanzania, Vanuatu and Brunei.
The "low cost" Cluster proposal convinced Brunei as well - although it was aimed at poorer states, the small yet very rich state will take part too.
Spice Cluster sheet
Content development: Università IUAV di Venezia
Scientific manaher and research coordinator: Benno Albrecht
Exhibition concept and layout: Michele Brunello, Pierluigi Salvadeo, Corrado Longa, Silvia Bertolotti
Total area: 3,702 mq
Exhibition area: 875 mq
Common area: 2,637 mq
Event area: 436 mq