India’s cumin (jeera) exports are poised for a decline this fiscal year due to weak demand from major buyers like China and Bangladesh, according to trade sources. A robust domestic crop in China has led to diminished imports of Indian cumin, while ongoing political instability has deterred exporters from shipping to Bangladesh.
“China has had a good crop this year, and their cumin is $200-250 per tonne cheaper than the Indian price. They have no incentive to buy from us,” stated Yogesh Mehta, Trustee of the Federation of Indian Spice Stakeholders (FISS). He also noted that China, typically the largest importer of Indian cumin, has significantly reduced its purchases, importing fewer than 10,000 tonnes this year, which has adversely affected overall exports.
Shipments to Bangladesh have also decreased as exporters are reluctant to engage due to the political climate, Mehta added, who is also the CEO and Founder of SpicExim.
According to data from the Spices Board, cumin shipments from India until August have declined by nearly 17% compared to the same period last year. Specifically, exports during the April-August segment of the current fiscal year fell to 92,810 tonnes, down from 111,532 tonnes the previous year. In terms of value, these shipments decreased to $257.10 million from $367.57 million a year earlier.
Mehta projected that overall cumin shipments this fiscal year could drop by 15-20% due to insufficient demand, leading to higher carry-forward stocks, which may influence sowing patterns, particularly in Gujarat.
Ramkumar Menon, Chairman of the World Spice Organisation, remarked that the slowdown in cumin shipments is attributable to weak demand. “I believe it will pick up next year, and a lot will depend on the planting and its effect on price. We should have a clearer picture by January,” he noted.
During the 2024-25 fiscal year, India’s cumin exports reached over 229,000 tonnes, valued at $732 million, with China procuring approximately 38,720 tonnes valued at $115.28 million in that period.
