India: cumin market weakens as export slump offsets tighter arrivals

• Lower arrivals fail to support prices as export demand contracts sharply
• Freight surge raises landed costs, reducing global competitiveness of Indian jeera

India’s cumin (jeera) market remained under pressure as of 23 April 2026, with prices softening despite lower arrivals, indicating a demand-driven correction. At Unjha, daily arrivals are estimated at 40,000-45,000 bags, down from around 55,000-60,000 bags during the same period last year. The supply gap of nearly 10,000-15,000 bags per day reflects a tighter crop year, yet this has not translated into price support.

Spot prices are currently trading at INR 16,000-22,000 per quintal, compared to peak levels of INR 18,000-25,000 per quintal earlier in the season, marking a correction of about INR 2,000-3,000 per quintal. The decline is more pronounced in average-quality material, while superior grades continue to command relatively better value.

Export demand weakens sharply

The pressure on prices is primarily driven by a sharp slowdown in exports. BigMint data shows January shipments falling from 15,907 MT in 2025 to 10,150 MT in 2026. February exports rose to 14,572 MT from 12,464 MT, but March shipments dropped significantly from 17,317 MT to 5,079 MT. Overall, cumulative exports for January-March declined from 45,688 MT to 29,801 MT, a reduction of 15,887 MT during the peak dispatch period.

Freight surge impacts trade flows

Rising logistics costs have compounded the export slowdown. Container freight has seen sharp increases due to geopolitical disruptions, with surcharges reaching USD 3,500-4,000 per container on certain routes, alongside a 15-20% rise in domestic transport costs in key port corridors. With FOB prices around USD 2,500-2,850 per tonne, higher freight is inflating landed costs, discouraging overseas buyers.

Outlook

The market is expected to remain weak in the near term. Lower arrivals continue to provide a floor, but sustained export weakness and elevated logistics costs are likely to cap any upside, keeping sentiment cautious across traders and stockists.