In value, the decrease is 7 per cent in dollar terms while in rupee terms the decrease is marginal. Last year, export during April-May was valued at $79.65 million while in rupee terms the value was Rs 318.12 crore. During the same period in the current fiscal dollar value of the exports is estimated to be $ 74.45 million while the rupee value is Rs 318.53 crore.

Export of pepper, large cardamom and chillies is higher during April-May in the current fiscal both in quantity and value. Export of small cardamom, ginger, turmeric, coriander and others including oleoresins and other oils have declined both in quantity and value. Only mint oils have registered an increase in value though quantity is lower than same period last year.

Export during May 1999 was considerably low as the estimates show a quantity of 18,107 tonnesvalued at Rs 161.58 crore against 24,267 tonnes at Rs 177.17 crore in May 1998.

Pepper export during April-may 1999 is 10,000 tonnes valued at Rs 183.50 crore against 7,437 tonnes valued at Rs 132.01 crore. The average FoB price realised during the April-May 1999 is Rs 183.50 a kg against Rs 177.51 a kg during same period in 1998.

According to the International Pepper Community pepper exports from the major IPC member countries have been very high. India, Malaysia and Indonesia together have exported 11,210 tonnes in May 1999 against 6,356 tonnes in May 1998, which is an increase of 76 per cent. From January to may 1999, the three countries have exported 38,740 tonnes against 27,466 tonnes during January-May 1998.

The Spices Market weekly review says that lower crop of cloves has pushed the price of the commodity from the range of $1,900-2,400 a tonne to $ 3,000 a tonne. Even Indonesia, an exporting country is in the market to cover its needs. Besides Indonesia, India, Madagascar and Sri Lanka are themajor producers of clove. In India clove is grown mainly in parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. But India has been importing clove to meet its domestic demand.