According to exporters, lower production in most of the spices has led to a decrease in exports in volume terms, even though there had been some relief in the months of October and November, as the fall was arrested to a certain extent. The first six months in the current year has witnessed a lower decline compared to previous year's 34 per cent decline.

During the current financial year, higher per unit price realisation has led to increase in export value, while in the last year it was due to depreciation of rupee. In spite of decline in exports in terms of quantity, steep depreciation of the rupee during the last financial year, resulted in higher earnings from various spices exports.

Against the tentative target for the period 1999-2000, the achievement during first half has been 48 per cent in quantity and 53 per cent in value terms. In dollar terms of value, the achievement was around 53 per cent.

However, according to the Spices Board during last fiscal as against the target of 2,12,750 tonnes valued at Rs 1,643 crores, the country achieved 100 per cent of the target in rupee value as well as dollar value terms, apart from and 99 per cent in terms of quantity.

Pepper continued to be leader in spices export earnings with a share of 48 per cent followed by spice-oil and oleoresins at 14 per cent and chilli at 13 per cent.

The spices that have shown decline in both quantity and value terms include ginger, turmeric, celery, cumin, fennel, coriander, fenugreek, garlic, spice oils, oleoresins and other seeds.

Only pepper and chilly have increased in both quantity and value terms, whereas the export of cardamom (small), cardamom (large), curry powder and mint oils the exports increased in terms of value only.

The performance of pepper is significant at 28 per cent increase in value over the last year even when there has been a 25 per cent increase in terms of quantity. About 23,500 tonnes of pepper valued at Rs 447.80 crores has been exported during the period under review as against previous year's 18,832 tonnes valued at Rs 343.49 crores. The average free on board (FOB) unit price realised during first half of 1999-2000 was Rs 190.55 per kg as against last year's Rs 182.40 per kg.

Export of ginger has declined at 2,375 tonnes valued at Rs 10.83 crores against last year's 5,071 tonnes valued at Rs 22.11 crores.

Exports of chillies also registered a substantial increase as compared to last year. A total quantity of 26,800 tonnes valued at Rs 117.31 crores was exported during the period as compared to 19,183 tonnes valed at Rs 76.36 crores during the previous year.

Exports of small cardamom decreased in volume from 93 tonnes to 90 tonnes while it increased in value terms at Rs 5.75 crores from Rs 3.57 crores. Exports of large cardamom declined in volume from 659 tonnes to 450 tonnes while it increased in value terms at Rs 5.61 crores from Rs 5.07 crores.

Similarly, turmeric exports fell to 13,500 tonnes valued at Rs 54.05 crores from 14,992 tonnes valued at Rs 55.86 crores. Corainder exports decreased to 9,500 tonnes valued at Rs 19.48 crores from 14,011 tonnes valued at Rs 31.10 crores. The exports of cumin fell to 2,550 tonnes valued at Rs 15.20 crores from 7,482 tonnes valued at Rs 40.00 crores.

Fennel exports declined to 2,800 tonnes valued at Rs 9.00 crores from 3,807 tonnes valued at Rs 10.86 crores. Similarly garlic exports fell to 1,900 tonnes valued at Rs 1.60 crores from 3,062 tonnes valued at Rs 4.09 crores. Exports of celery declined to 1,500 tonnes valued at Rs 4.08 crores from 2,365 tonnes valued at Rs 5.71 crores.

Fenugreek exports dropped to 3,500 tonnes valued at Rs 6.51 crores from 6,225 tonnes valued at Rs 11.36 crores. Exports of spice oils and oleoresins decreased from 1,365 tonnes valued at Rs 157.76 crores to 1,250 tonnes valued at Rs 126.34 crores. Exports of mint oil declined in terms of volume from 2,056 tonnes valued at Rs 58.21 crores to 1,500 tonnes valued at Rs 58.55 crores.