India’s cumin acreage is expected to shrink this rabi season as farmers are expected to decrease the areas under the seed spices because of weak prices. Interestingly, sowing of jeera in the key producing states of Gujarat and Rajasthan, which began early this year because of the early onset of winter, has been trailing last year’s levels, so far.
Decline in cumin acreage is anticipated in Gujarat and Rajasthan
Weak market prices for cumin in India are having a direct impact on sowing during the rabi season. A decline in the cumin acreage is anticipated in the key producing states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. While early winter led to an earlier start to sowing, current figures indicate a contraction in the area under cumin cultivation compared to last year. Weak export demand and pressure from the international market are causing farmers to adopt a cautious approach. According to the latest data from the Gujarat Agriculture Department, as of December 15th, cumin sowing in the state covered approximately 3.24 lakh hectares, compared to 3.76 lakh hectares during the same period last year. This represents a year-on-year decline of approximately 14 per cent. The normal cumin acreage in Gujarat is considered to be around 3.81 lakh hectares. Similarly, the cumin acreage in Rajasthan is also reported to be lower than last year.
Cumin exports have faced significant pressure this year
Cumin exports have faced significant pressure this year, largely due to a good domestic harvest in China. China has been India’s largest cumin importer, but demand from there remains weak this time. The trade community hopes to see some improvement in export demand before Ramadan.
Exports Expected to Decline by Up to 20%
Yogesh Mehta, a trustee of the Federation of Indian Spices Stakeholders (FISS), says that the cumin acreage in Gujarat may decrease by 20-22 per cent this year. He stated that weak demand from major buying countries such as China and Bangladesh is putting pressure on prices, and carry-forward stocks have increased. It is estimated that cumin exports may decline by at least 20 percent this year.
What the Spices Board Data Shows
According to the Spices Board, India’s cumin exports during April-August of the current financial year decreased by 17 per cent in volume to 92,810 tonnes, compared to 111,532 tonnes during the same period last year. In terms of value, exports decreased to $257.10 million from $367.57 million a year earlier.