Gujarat state, in western India contributes about 35 per cent of India's groundnut output. Saurashtra, the main growing centre in Gujarat, witnessed a setback after the cyclone that hit the region in June this year. Gujarat state officials last month said they expect groundnut crop to be 28-29 lakh tonnes, four lakh tonnes more than last year. Indian exports of groundnut meal in 1998-99 (April-March) is forecast at 300,000 tonnes from an estimated 275,000 tonnes last year. Groundnut harvesting begins in mid-September and lasts till November. Indian exports of groundnut extractions, or meal, are expected to rise but earnings for the country from this commodity will still drop. However, the value of these exports is likely to drop to about Rs 150 crore from Rs 175 crore last year.