Weak Chinese demand impacts cumin exports

29-Nov-2025 05:19 PM

Mumbai. India's cumin exports are expected to decline during the current financial year due to weak demand in China and Bangladesh, two major importers.

Improved domestic production in China has reduced the need for Indian cumin imports, while political instability in Bangladesh has discouraged Indian exporters from exporting cumin there.

The Federation of Indian Spice Stakeholders (FISS), a leading organization, says that due to improved domestic production, the price of cumin in China has fallen by $200-250 per ton relative to Indian cumin, thus making importers more relaxed.

It is noteworthy that China has traditionally been the largest buyer of Indian cumin, but this year it has not imported more than 10,000 tons of cumin from India. This is impacting India's overall cumin exports. The situation in Bangladesh is also not good.

According to the Spices Board, India exported a total of 92,810 tons of cumin in the first five months of the current fiscal year, a 17 percent decrease from 111,532 tons shipped in the same period last year. Cumin export earnings also declined from $367.57 million to $257.1 million.

Overall, cumin exports are expected to decline by 15-20 percent during the 2025-26 fiscal year compared to 2024-25, leading to increased backlogs and pressure on prices.

This could impact cumin sowing, and cumin producers in Gujarat and Rajasthan may prioritize cultivation of other crops.