Marginal rise in spices exports

However, export of pepper, ginger, spice oils, oleoresins and other spices dropped in quantity only, while in thecase of mint oils, there was an increase in quantity and decrease in value. There was a significant rise in the price of pepper during the current fiscal, registering an increase of 21 per cent of the previous year. However, there was a drop of 25 per cent in terms of quantity over last year, the sources added.

The export of pepper during April 1997 to February 1998 stood at 30,500 tonnes worth Rs 413.94 crore as against 40,697 tonnes worth Rs 3,340.76 crore during the corresponding period last year. The average fob price released was Rs 139.72 per kg as aginst Rs 83.73 per kg last year. Pepper continued to be the leader in spices export earnings with a share of 36 per cent, followed by spice oils and oleoresins (17 per cent) and chilli (11 per cent).

As against the export target of 2,25,000 tonnes worth Rs 1,200 crore for 1997-98, the achievement at the end of 11 months of the financial year was 85 per cent in quantity and 97 per cent in terms of value.

In February, spices exports fell in terms ofquantity compared to the same month last year. However, in terms of value, it went up by over Rs 2.5 crore. Total exports during the month stood at 16.150 tonnes worth Rs 120.5 crore as against 17.150 tonnes worth Rs 117.92 crore last year.

Pepper continued to be the major component of export earnings with 36 per cent of the total exports. The export of cardamom (large), turmeric and other spices had increased, both in terms of quantity and value. In the case of spices, oil and oleoresins, there was an increase in value, the sources said.

Export of cashewnut shell liquid has more than doubled during the period from April 1997 to January 1998 to 2,450 tonnes as against 1,189 tonnes during the corresponding period last year.

At this rate, total exports were expected to cross 1,500 tonnes worth over Rs 4 crore during the current financial year, according to Cashew Export Promotion Council (CEPC) souces here.

There was a sharp decline in export of this product during 1995-96 and 1996-97 because of a dropin demand. But the situation had changed now and the industry hoped to export larger quantities in the future, provided the international prices remained attractive, the sources said.

The total exports of cashewnut shell liquid during 1991-92 stood at 4,542 tonnes valued at Rs 4.02 crore, while it was 4,258 tonnes worth Rs 3.81 crore in 1992-93. Thereafter, there had been a gradual and sharp drop in subsequent years.

In 1993-94, exports fell to 3,625 tonnes worth Rs 2.88 crore. Even though in terms of quantity, it picked up to 3,807 tonnes during 1994-95, in terms of value, there was a drop to Rs 2.44 crore.