New Delhi. Cumin prices remained sluggish during the current week. However, daily arrivals in the markets of the producing centers have remained considerable. But due to low export and local demand, prices in spot and futures are continuously falling. Looking at the current situation, there is no possibility of a rise in the near future. Sources say that due to the war-like situation between India and Pakistan, exports are getting affected. Due to which prices are not rising. Until the situation becomes normal, a rise in the market is not possible. At the beginning of the current week, cumin of May month opened at Rs 22300 in futures and closed at Rs 21040, whereas cumin of June month opened at Rs 22510 and closed at Rs 21260 at the end of the week.

Informed sources say that about 35/36 lakh bags have arrived in the mandis of Gujarat in the current season so far. During the current season, the production of cumin in Gujarat was estimated to be 42/44 lakh bags. Till now, there is news of total arrival of new cumin in Rajasthan's mandis being 14/15 lakh bags whereas the production in the current season is believed to be 48/50 lakh bags. Currently, the daily arrival of cumin in Gujarat's main mandi Unjha is around 6000 bags whereas the arrival in Rajasthan's Medta, Nagaur mandi is 2000/2500 bags.

Due to decrease in sowing area, cumin production in the country during the current season is believed to be less than last year. It is worth mentioning that last year the cumin production in the country was about 1.10 crore bags which is estimated to decrease to 90/92 lakh bags this year. Sources believe that the production in Rajasthan will be around 48/50 lakh bags and Gujarat will be around 42/44 lakh bags.

Although the daily arrival of cumin in the markets is limited, but due to lack of lifting, the prices are falling. During the current week, the price of cumin in the spot markets was quoted with a decline of up to Rs 8/10 per kg. Looking at the current situation, there is no possibility of a rise in prices right now, but due to the prices coming down to the minimum level, more decline in the current prices is not possible now. Sources say that due to low arrival, farmers of Rajasthan have started stopping the goods, due to which the arrival in the mandis has decreased. Farmers will bring goods to the mandis when the arrival increases. It is worth mentioning that in May - 2024 last year, the price of cumin in the mandis of producing centers was Rs 260/280, whereas currently the price is being quoted at Rs 200/225. The price of cumin export, which was being quoted at Rs 4600 per 20 kg at the beginning of the current week, has come down to Rs 4375 at the end of the week.

According to the data released by Federation of Indian Spice Stock Holders (FISS), during March-2024 to February-2025, 4542400 bags (each bag is 55 kg) of cumin have been exported, whereas last year during March-2023 - February-2024, 2812618 bags of cumin were exported.