Chinese demand boost jeera exports 181% in first quarter

India has exported 45,000 tonnes jeera in first quarter of current financial year as against 16,000 tonnes in corresponding period of 2015

Good demand from China coupled with availability of quality produce has pushed jeera (cumin) exports by almost 181 per cent during the first quarter of this fiscal.

Add to that, geo-political tension restricted jeera supply from Turkey and Syria, thereby making India the single most preferred source of jeera supply in the world market.

According to trade sources, India has exported about 45,000 tonnes jeera in first quarter of current financial year as against 16,000 tonnes in corresponding period of 2015.

"The export during the new season has significantly risen as demand from China was very good during April and May. China alone has imported around 20,000 tonnes so far in this year. Availability of good quality jeera is also one of the reasons for the jump in exports," said Vijay Joshi, owner of Vijay Exim from Unjha.

Overall exports of jeera during 2015-16 had declined to 95,000 tonnes as against 156,000 tonnes in 2014-15. This was because of lower demand and higher domestic prices of the commodity.

However, traders and exporters are hopeful of better exports and expect that exports from India may cross 100,000 tonnes in 2016-17.

Joshi said, "Exports will continue for the next couple of months. We expect total exports will cross 100,000 tonnes this year on continued Chinese demand."

Export demand in June gradually declined because of dull demand from Gulf countries due to Ramadan. Exporters believe that fresh jeera demand may come after end of Ramadan period.

Girish Brahmbhatt, chief executive officer of Sterling Export Inc said, "Fresh export demand may come after Ramadan festivals."

After prices of jeera had gone up to Rs 18,000 per quintal around mid-June, domestic as well as export demand has come down in June. Now prices are declining on weak demand. During last two weeks, jeera prices have reduced to Rs 16,500-17,000 per quintal. Arrival of jeera increased to 9,000 bags from 6,000 bags per day at Unjhamandi of Gujarat.