Till February last fiscal, a total of 1,72,910 tonnes of spices have been exported from the country while during same period in the previous fiscal, 2,10,753 tonnes of spices were exported.

Spices export has earned Rs 1,380.52 crore ($329.64 million) between last April and February while in the same period during 1997-98, spices export earnings were pegged at Rs 1,250.32 crore ($340.06 million). Exports last February alone was to the tune of 12,860 tonnes worth Rs 135.95 crore ($32.01 million).

In February 1997-98, exports were to the tune of 14,418 tonnes worth Rs 117.24 crore ($30.29 million).

According to figures from the Spices Board, export earnings have risen 10 per cent while volume has dipped 18 per cent. In dollar terms, exports have shown a decrease of 3per cent even as pepper continued to dominate the spices export scenario. It accounted for about 40 per cent of the earnings followed by spice oils and oleoresins (18 per cent) and chilli (10 per cent).

Pepper exports too have shown slight decrease in volume between last April and February at 30,350 tonnes valued at Rs 549.03 crore against the previous year's 32,131 tonnes valued at Rs 417.70 crore. This is a decrease of 6 per cent in terms of quantity and an increase of 31 per cent in value. The average FOB price of pepper during the financial year just-concluded has been Rs 180.90 per kg against the previous fiscal's Rs 130 per kg.

The export of fenugreek, celery and spice oils and oleoresins between April and February 1998-99 have increased both in terms of quantity and value realisation as compared to the previous financial year. Export earnings from chilli, cardamom (small), turmeric and curry powder have not shown any quantitative increase but have fetched better prices in the internationalmarket.

Spices like cardamom (large), ginger, coriander, cumin, fennel and some minor spices have recorded decline in both quantity and price realisation.