India’s jeera (cumin) output for the 2024-25 season is pegged lower than last year on a reduction in acreage, weather vagaries and pest attacks in some of the key-growing regions. Trade sources estimate the cumin crop to range between 65 and 90 lakh bags (of 55 kgs each), down from a bumper crop of 1.15 crore bags in 2023-24. Cumin is mainly grown in the north-western States of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
“Cumin sowing was down by about 25 per cent compared to last year. Despite the talk of all weather-related issues and delayed sowing, we expect the crop to be between 65 and 70 lakh bags, which is a normal crop size. Including the carry forward stocks of around 20 lakh bags, the availability would be around 85-90 lakh bags, which is sufficient to meet the domestic and export demand,” said Yogesh Mehta, CEO, SpicExim, an international broker, with over 54 years of experience in the spices trade.
The higher than normal temperature during October-November influenced the cumin sowing process, resulting in poor germination, forcing farmers to take up resowing multiple times in some regions of Rajasthan.
Crucial period ahead
Dinesh Soni of Sree Shyam International, a spices trader and exporter in Jodhpur, expects the crop size to be around 90 lakh bags this year, down from last year’s 1.15 crore bags. Soni said the cumin area has decreased by around 20 per cent in Gujarat and by about 5 per cent in Rajasthan.
Soni, who is also the Finance Director of the trade body Rajasthani Association of Spices in Jodhpur, said the yields were good last year, which helped boost the output. This year the yields are likely to be lower due to the delayed sowing and weather-related issues, which may impact the overall output. Currently, some areas around Nagore in Rajasthan are experiencing cloudy weather, which could impact the crop size and quality. The next 2-3 weeks are crucial for the cumin crop, which has been delayed by a month, Soni added.
Bhagirath Chaudhary, Founder Director of South Asia Biotechology Centre in Jodhpur, who works with the spices growers in Rajasthan, promoting the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, said the cumin crop could be lower by around 30 per cent in the State this year.
“Only the early sown crop, which accounts for about 60-65 per cent of the cropped area is in good condition, while the areas where the planting was delayed due to higher than normal temperature during October-November are witnessing stunted growth and grain formation has been impacted. Also, in some of the delayed planted areas there has been severe infestation of fusarium wilt and aphids, which could impact the output and quality,” Chaudhary said.
During 2023-24, India’s cumin production, as per Spices Board data, went up to 8.6 lakh tonnes from the previous year’s 5.77 lakh tonnes.
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