Cumin, Coriander likely to be hit as Virus cases rise

Rising Covid-19 cases in the western states, particularly Gujarat, may spoil the prospects of cumin and coriander, two key spices produced in the region.

Gujarat and Rajasthan are the main producers of these spices, which are heavily sought after by curry masala companies. Cumin or jeera is the second-largest exported spice from the country. The harvest of both the commodities got over in March and farmers are left with heavy stock. As the mandis in Gujarat are not operational, some traders who are into exports are travelling to interior areas and buying directly from growers.

“We are going to the farmers to buy to meet export orders for jeera. But we are able to buy only 30% of the stock. Only some traders can afford to do it,’’ said Jay Chandarana, CEO of Dhaval Agri Exports. The jeera crop is expected to be higher than last year’s, which saw a slightly lower production of over 6 lakh tonnes.


Coriander is heavily dependent on domestic consumption with curry masala companies being the chief buyers. “Curry masala companies are buying only on a limited scale and often by approaching farmers directly,’’ said PCK Maheswaran, partner of P C Kannan & Co. Gujarat has reaped a bumper harvest of coriander, aided by good rains while the crop is lower than expectation in Rajasthan, according to Maheswaran. Madhya Pradesh, struggling with increasing Covid-19 cases, has reaped a good crop.