Cumin seed exports surge from Gujarat
Cumin seed exports from Gujarat have surged amid tensions in the Middle East over the past two months. According to data compiled by the Federation of Indian Spice Stakeholders (FISS), cumin seed exports in July, August and September stood at 52,022 metric tonnes (MT), up 128% year-on-year against 22,830 MT in the same period last year. Overall, from March to September, export of jeera grew by 73%.
Traditionally, the Middle East, particularly Syria, Iran and Turkey, are large producers of cumin. However, the political situation in these countries has led to reduced production and hence the markets started relying more on Indian cumin, said FISS Vice Chairman Mr Udayakumar Karthik. When tensions led to scarcity in cumin supply, Gujarat and Rajasthan, two of India’s major cumin-producing states, stepped in to fill the gap. And Unjha, the hub of India’s cumin trade, reaped the benefits, as per a report.
source: Exim News Service: New Delhi, Oct. 28