Unjha, the heart of cumin commerce, observes a gentle rise in cumin arrivals, signaling a subtle shift in the market’s rhythm. Yet, as rains and floods crisscross various states, Cumin’s zeal seems to have waned. The looming atmosphere forebodes a leisurely pace in Cumin’s journey ahead.
Unjha’s bustling wholesale shops register a minor surge in arrivals, rebounding from a brief market closure protesting building regulations. Rain’s embrace has painted various landscapes, with regions like Dhoraji in Rajkot district experiencing flood-like situations. Even Dwarka, Navsari, and Surat have faced the deluge’s might. However, North Gujarat patiently awaits its turn for rain’s caress. Despite these natural theatrics, Cumin’s price in Unjha has dipped.
Nevertheless, this decrease followed a resilient climb. Local wholesale grocery markets mirrored this sentiment, with Cumin reigning steadily at $8,08 per kg. However, the crop’s producers remain cautious in their offerings, as rains cast their watery spell on Rajasthan’s cumin fields in March. Activity thrives in Unjha’s cumin market, extending its allure to traditional importers, including Bangladesh. Yet, the current price’s elevation weakens their purchasing vigor.
The spice realm echoes with concern as sea freight, having swelled dramatically in magnitude, casts its shadow. Exporting Cumin and other commodities faces the sea’s steep cost. India’s fellow players, Türkiye, Syria, Afghanistan, and Iran, are rising as contenders in the cumin game. While Türkiye and Syria harmonize to produce approximately 3.5 million tonnes of Cumin, their offerings remain lighter in comparison to India’s quality. Amidst the numbers, a 68% rise in Cumin’s export to 42,988.50 tonnes from the previous year’s 25,603 tonnes.
As the rain’s cadence orchestrates the spice’s tempo, Cumin is poised to remain at its leisurely pace for the foreseeable future, according to market wizards.