Cumin seed output may decline 20%

UNSEASONAL SHOWERS CATCH MARKET PLAYERS OFF GUARD

Unexpected showers may hit cumin seed (jeera) output in Rajasthan, which is likely to decline by 20 per cent. The reports of crop damage led to a spurt in prices of cumin seed when markets opened on Monday, rising to Rs 1,800 per 20 kg (up Rs 3 a kg) from Rs 1,725 per 20 kg last week.

Interestingly, the change in climate has not made any impact on cumin seed in Gujarat. "Saurashtra has not cultivated jeera this season. Excessive cultivation of other commodities has already hit jeera output in the state, with the climatic change making no difference. However, the rains have definitely washed the hopes of farmers in Rajasthan," said Pankaj Thakker of Mumbai-based VP & Sons.

Gujarat's cumin seed production was likely to be hit by 50 per cent to touch 30,000 mt. Excessive cultivation of cotton, wheat and groundnut in winter had dented cumin seed output and the deficit in production was likely to create more pressure on prices this year, said Thakker.

Besides, the rains in Rajasthan were likely to pull down cumin seed output by 5,000 mt to 36,000 mt, added Thakker.

Banaskantha and Mehsana in Gujarat and Barmer, Jalore, Jodhpur and Nagaur in Rajasthan are the cumn seed-growing centres in the country. The country produces around 1,32,000 tonne of jeera a year. Last year, Gujarat produced 60,000 tonne, while Rajasthan's share was around 45,000 tonne.

Cumin seeds are traded in bags of 60 kg mainly across the marketing yards of Unjha in north Gujarat's Mehsana district.