The year 1989 witnessed the germination of the idea of an international forum for the world spice trade for constant interaction and better understanding. The result was the first international spice fair in Cochin, an event of colours which had the touch of a festival and entertainment. The lessons that were learn  from such a novel exercise prompted the Spices Board to rethink on the format of the event.

It was realized that a large communication gap existed between the importing countries and the exporting companies in India. Many of the exporting companies were not fully aware of the technological strides made in agricultural research, production and processing. On the other hand, the exporting community in India was also been handicapped by lack of information about the changes taking place in the spice importing countries - both in the industry and at consumer's level - especially with regard to quality, packaging and consumer preference. It was realized that these gaps could be bridged by a direct inter-face between the importers and exporting community. Thus was the concept of World Spice Congress.

For any such activity to succeed, the co-operation of the active players in the field is a sine-qua-non. The All India Spices Exporters Forum, Kochi, spontaneously came forward to co-sponsor this event, involving the cream of the exporting community. It was in this backdrop that the Spices Board and the exporting community decided after a series of threadbare discussions to have a more practical and useful approach to the event. A business meet mixed with pleasure. More time for interactions. Opportunities to know the capacities and capabililties.

The first World Spice Congress held in the garden city of Bangalore during Nov 1 to 3, 1990, evoked very good response from all parts of the world. Unlike the later Congresses, the first one did not have any specific theme. International delegates to the first Congress numbered 78 from 22 countries including representatives from international organisations. Over 220 Indian delegates participated. The structured business sessions covered topics based on market regions like West and East Europe, Far East and Pacific, USA and Canada, West Asia and North Africa. The end of the first Congress saw emergence of lots of recommendations to improve productivity in some of the major spices like pepper, chillies, ginger, turmeric, cardamom and seed spices. Production, post harvest technology, quality, delivery, marketing and international consultative group were the major concepts that emerged in the first Congress.

The second World Spice Congress moved  to Goa, the heavenly destination for the international tourists. The theme of the Congress was "Global Opportunities of the Nineties". 70 overseas delegates from 20 countries besides 195 Indian delegates participated in the event held during Nov. 5 to 7, 1992. Business sessions were structured to cover geographical market regions of Americas, Asia, Africa and Australia and Europe. Concerns on quality levels were expressed at this Congress and the plenary session saw the assurance from the Indian side in terms of reiterating the commitment that all valuable suggestions of the delegates will be taken care of.

The third congress was held in the spice hub of Cochin during 15th to 18th February 1995. The theme of the Congress was Vision 2000. Business sessions were on Markets, Products and Quality. 71 delegates from 24 countries participated besides over Number of Indian delegates. The Congress voted for a new direction and focus " Add value by quality".
 

The fourth Congress held during Jan 23 to 25, 1998 in Chennai deliberated on the theme " New horizons - Challenges ahead". This Congress had representation from 34 countries with 121 overseas delegates participating besides 210 Indian delegates. The theme of the event was discussed in three sessions of New horizons - Pepper, New horizons - seeds spices and herbs and Challenges ahead. The very important decision of the Congress was to organise a global meeting of international federation of spice trade associations to address common issues in the spice industry. The coming into existence of the International Organisation of Spice Trading Associations [ IOSTA] justifies the recommendation.

The fifth World Spice Congress created history by opening the doors to other spice producing countries for participation. Thus the World Spice Congress has gone really global. The admission to the Congress hitherto was unofficially restricted to delegates from various spice consuming countries only. The decision to admit the spice trade from the spice producing countries resulted in increased and enthusiastic participation from countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines etc. It will be right to state that the producing fraternity felt more at home at the Spice Congress.

The chances of meeting buyers, processors, competitors and consultants are unique occasions. Without the Congress, such an occasion would not have been there. The fifth Congress held in Mumbai during Jan 27 to 29, 2000 deliberated on the theme " Spices to Food: New Trends, New Dimensions". The focus was on consumer expectations and consumer safety. The theme was discussed in three sessions: Crops and markets, Spices and food and competencies and capabilities. There was record participation at the Congress with over 150 international delegates from over 40 countries besides over 250 Indian delegates. At the end it was resolved that both the producing and consuming countries should work together to ensure food safety and consumer safety through quality.

The Sixth Congress held in Cochin during January 30, 31 and Feb 1, 2002 deliberated on the theme: Challenges of the past Defining the future. International attendance was in the region of 109 and Indian delegate presence was in the region of 286. This was yet another step forward in reviewing the past for a more fruitful and result oriented future.

The task of organizing the sixth World Spice Congress had some initial hitches on account of poor responses in the early stages from various destinations on account of the outbreak of the Afghan war. But however with the easing of tensions and the war situation getting over, registrations started pouring in. This is so because the spice industry do not want to miss this glorious biennial meet.

The World Spice Congress has now come to stay as an international institution. It is again an institution for academic exercises of trade practices and a guide for the ill equipped trader to equip himself. It is again a guiding force for the entrant to the trade and a stimulating force for updating of information for those in the trade. Of course building up of newer relations, clearing misunderstandings, sharing of business problems, learning new business tactics besides developing the skill to communicate are the other positive gains that get scored while at the Congress.

Business meets are no more dealing in cash and talking in monetary terms only , but is an intellectual exercise too for a successful business.

The Seventh World Spice Congress was held at Hyderabad during 29-31 January, 2004.  The core theme of the Congress, consciously chosen was “Spices - Flavours & Beyond”, as the mission was to explore the exciting world of spices, which is no more confined to culinary. 

The Seventh World Spice Congress evoked enthusiastic response, with 352 delegates from all over the world participating in the Congress.  All major spice buying countries such as USA, the UK, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Norway, France, Germany, Switzerland, Grand Cayman, Italy, South Africa, The Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, Russia, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and spice exporting countries like Madagascar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand were represented in the Congress.  International Organisations like the American Spice Trade Association, European Commission, Spices and Allied Products Exporters Association of Sri Lanka, European Spice Association, All Nippon Spice Association, Japan, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, etc. were represented in the Congress. 

The 8^th World Spice Congress held in Hotel Taj Coromandel,  Chennai, had an impressive start in the presence of  over  110 overseas  delegates and 230 Indian delegates.  The core theme of the Congress, was “Food  Safety  Challenges  and  opportunities". The Congress was inaugurated on 27^th January 2006, by Mr. L. Mansingh, Secretary, Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India.