While there has been a 10 per cent increase in value terms, exports in quantity terms at 218750 tonnes have shown a decline of about four per cent from the previous year's 225295 tonnes.

According to the Spices Board, the export value in dollar terms has registered an increase of five per cent at $363.62 million against last year's $346.97 million. Against the export target of 225000 tonnes valued at Rs 1200 crores for 1997-98, the achievement during the period has been a 97 per cent in quantity and 113 per cent in value terms.

Exports of cardamom (small), turmeric, coriander, cumin, fennel, curry powder and other seeds have increased both in terms of quantity as well as value. The exports of pepper, ginger, spice oil and oleoresins have also shown an increase in value while the export of cardamom (large), chilli, celery, fenugreek and garlic has declined inboth quantity and value terms.

In case of mint oil, exports have increased in quantity but decreased in value. Pepper continued to be leader in spices export earnings with a share of 35 per cent followed by spice-oil and oleoresins at 17 per cent and chilli at 10 per cent.

The performance of pepper is significant at 16 per cent increase in value over the last year even when there has been a reduction in terms of quantity by 28 per cent. About 34250 tonnes of pepper valued at Rs 479.56 crore have been exported during the year under review as against previous year's 47893 tonnes valued at Rs 412.31 crore.

The average FOB unit price realised during the year was Rs 140.02 per kilogram against last year's Rs 86.09 per kilogram indicating a substantial 62 per cent rise.