Possibly lower production, cumin prices are expected to remain firm in the future

07-Mar-2026 11:54 AM

Rajkot. Domestic cumin production is expected to decline slightly during the current year due to a decrease in sown area and unfavorable weather conditions. Previously held stocks are also not significant, so overall availability will be limited. In such a situation, if domestic and export demand remains strong, cumin prices could remain firm in the coming months.

Unrest in West Asia has affected Indian cumin export shipments to that region, putting pressure on domestic market prices. Harvesting and arrivals of the new early-sown cumin crop have begun in some areas, and the pace will accelerate in the coming weeks.

As long as the pressure on new supplies continues, further increases in cumin prices are unlikely, but a correction is possible once the pressure on arrivals subsides. By then, the situation in West Asia is also expected to return to normal.

The Federation of Indian Spice Stakeholders (FISS), a leading trade body, has estimated that domestic cumin production will decline by about 5 percent from last year's 5.38 lakh tonnes to 5.13 lakh tonnes this year.

In other words, the Federation has predicted that cumin production will fall from last year's 97.93 lakh bags to 93.29 lakh bags in the current year. The current hot and dry weather is not considered favorable for the cumin crop. This may affect the quality of the grains.