Spices exports down 20 pc

Exports showed an upward trend in terms of rupees mainly in view of depreciation in the value of the currency during the initial period of the fiscal.

During January last 12,220 tonnes of spices were shipped from the country valued at $26.13 million (Rs 110.97 crore) against 18,075 tonnes shipped in January 1998 valued at $29.94 million (Rs 116.42 crore).

Pepper continued todominate the spices exports, registering about 40 per cent of the total shipments. During the first 10 months of the fiscal, 26,550 tonnes of pepper valued at Rs 481 crore were exported against 28,961 tonnes valued at Rs 366.12 crore. While pepper exports were up in terms of valued at 31 per cent, it was down by eight per cent in volume terms.

A Spices Board note attributed the fall in pepper shipments to delay in arrival of new crop and buyers deferring purchase anticipating a fall in price. The value of pepper exports was up in view of the average freight-on-board (FOB) prices increasing to Rs 181.17 a kg against Rs 126.42 a kg last year.

Small cardamom exports declined to 190 tonnes valued at Rs 11.19 crore against 246 tonnes worth Rs 8.76 crore during the same period last year and large cardamom exports were down both in value and volume terms to 1,050 tonnes valued at Rs 8.63 crore against 1,410 tonnes valued at Rs 10.48 crore.

Chilli exports registered a 25 per cent fall in volume and 11 per centin value to 28,750 tonnes valued at Rs 109.65 crore against 38,109 tonnes worth Rs 123.38 crore last year. The Spices Board said the exports were down in view of higher prices for chilli and the situation was likely to improve in the coming months when the new crop arrived.

Ginger exports slid by 64 per cent in volume and 40 per cent in value to 9,000 tonnes valued at Rs 37.44 crore against 25,267 tonnes worth Rs 62.62 crore during the period. Non-availability of exportable variety resulted in steep decline coupled with low production and high price, according to the Spices Board.

Turmeric exports during April-January slid to 19,500 tonnes from 22,915 tonnes on a year-to-year basis, while its earnings was up by 20 per cent to Rs 77.40 crore from Rs 64.61 crore.

Coriander exports dipped marginally to 17,300 tonnes valued at Rs 37.80 crore from 17,392 tonnes valued at Rs 49.63 crore last year. Exports of cumin, fennel, garlic and other seeds declined both in terms of volume and value.

Shipments ofcelery, other spices, spice oleoresins and other oils increased both in quantity and value terms.

Curry powder exports declined in volume terms and that of mint in value terms during the period. Against a target to export 2.12 lakh tonnes of spices during the fiscal, 74 per cent had been achieved and 76 per of the value target of Rs 1,643 crore had been achieved.