Cumin (Jeera)

Last Updated: 09 March 2015 04:48 PM

Cumin or jeera as is commonly called in India is one of the important spices & condiments, widely used for culinary as well as medicinal purposes.

Jeera is reported to have originated from Mediterranean to India. Cumin was known to the Egyptians 5,000 years ago and it was found in the pyramids.

It is extensively cultivated in the Mediterranean region of Europe and in India. Major producing areas are Europe, Asia, Middle East

and North Africa. However, India is the largest producer as well as consumer of jeera or cumin in the world.

Economically Important Products

Seed/ fruit: The economically important part of the plant is the dried fruit. It is used as a condiment in various cuisines of different cultures either as

whole or in powdered form. It is reported to have some medicinal properties.

Cumin oil is reported to have antibacterial activity. It is used in veterinary medicines and various other industries.

Climate and Cultivation

Jeera grows well in both tropical and sub-tropical climate and it comes up well in all types of soils but well drained sandy loam soils are best suited.

It thrives well between 9^o to 26^o C and annual rainfall of 30 to 270 cms. Crop duration is 110-120 days depending on the variety. Unlike other tropical plants, it requires relatively less water and rainfall during the harvesting period is unfavorable for the seed quality.

Cultivating seasons vary across major producing countries particularly of India and Turkey as presented below.

Crop calendar for major producing countries

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Turkey

Syria

		Sowing
		Harvesting

In India it is mainly grown as rabi crop mainly in Gujarat and Rajasthan. It is sown in Oct to November and harvested in Feb and Mar.

Crop Calendar for India

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Gujarat & Rajasthan

		Sowing
		Harvesting

World Scenario

India is the single largest producer as well as consumer of jeera in the world accounting for about 70% of world production.

Other important producers of jeera are Syria, Iran, Turkey. Although no reliable data are available on world jeera output,

it is expected be around 5-6 lakh tonnes. Syria is the second largest producer followed by Iran and Turkey.

Domestic Scenario

Domestic production trends during the past 5 years indicated that the output increased steadily until 2011-12 but moderated

slightly during 2012-13. The average annual production has posted a significant increase during the past decade. Production has

increased from about 1-2 lakh tonne in the early 2000s to about 4.6 lakh tonnes in 2011-12.

State-wise production trends

Gujarat is the single largest producer of jeera in the country accounting for over 60-70% of total production and the rest

of the output comes from Rajasthan. Gujarat and Rajasthan together account for about 99% of jeera production in the country

while the other states produce negligible quantities.

Both Gujarat and Rajasthan used to produce almost equal amount output until the early 2000s. But the output

from Gujarat increased rather steeply from mid-2000s and became the single largest producer. Nevertheless,

the area and production of jeera from Rajasthan also picked up momentum from 2010-11 onwards.

Major Markets

Spot markets: Delhi and

Gujarat: Unjha, Rajkot

Rajasthan: Kekri , Nagaur, Jodhpur, Palli, Jaipur

Futures Markets:

Futures are offered on NCDEX and ICEX.

External Trade

India is the major exporter of jeera in the world. India’s exports stood at average rate of 20000 tonnes a year during 2000s.

However, they reached a record level of 52000 tonnes in 2008-09. Although moderated in the subsequent years,

they have once again jumped up to a record level of 79900 tonnes in 2012-13 as per the latest estimates available

with the Spices Board of India.

Major export destinations: UK, US, Brazil, UAE, Nepal and Malaysia.

Major import sources: NA

Balance sheet

There are no authentic and reliable estimates available for cumin demand and supply. However, market participants assess the scenario and come out with estimates, which can provide a broad picture of the commodity demand and supply if not precise numbers.

In view of this, CC Research Team has collected demand and supply estimates from various stakeholders in cumin market. The details are provided in Table .

Cumin Seed: Balance Sheet

Cumin Seed	Pankaj Thakkar (VP & Sons, Mumbai)	Dixit Patel (GL Enterprises, Unjha)	Kanti Bhai Patel (Kantilal Jivram, Unjha)	Arvind Patel (Ex-President, Chamber of Commerce, Unjha)	Ashwin Patel (B & R Company, Rajkot)
Production	48 Lakh bags	45 Lakh bags	45 Lakh bags	45 Lakh bags	45 Lakh bags
Opening Stock	10 Lakh bags	18 Lakh bags	15 Lakh bags	10-12 Lakh bags	15 Lakh bags
Total Supply	58 Lakh bags	63 Lakh bags	60 Lakh bags	57 Lakh bags	60 Lakh bags
Domestic & Export Demand	55 Lakh bags	55 Lakh bags	55 Lakh bags	55 Lakh bags	55 Lakh bags
Carryover Stocks for 2016	3 Lakh bags	8 Lakh bags	5 Lakh bags	2 Lakh bags	5 Lakh bags

Note: 1 bag = 55 kg

Source: Survey of trade sources by CC Research Team

Factors Influencing Prices

Crop condition and output expectations: Extent of area sown under the crop, condition of the crop and output expectation.
Rainfall and weather conditions that could affect the crop output.
Domestic demand expectation: Any changes in demand both domestic as well as international markets.
Stocks available in the market.
External demand and supply: Demand supply situation in major import sources.
Trade policies: Any change in government policy relating to change in tariffs etc.,