Sowing Shadows in Coriander Fields
The cuisine of every kitchen coriander is experiencing uncertainty as the current season witnesses a sluggish pace in sowing. The figures paint a somber picture, and despite the low sowing numbers, the absence of demand clouds the outlook for coriander’s future growth.
The latest updates on sowing reveal a mixed opinion across major producing states. Madhya Pradesh seems to have embraced a comparatively more robust sowing season, while in Rajasthan, the situation mirrors that of the previous season. Gujarat, however, lags significantly behind in sowing progress. With time still on the clock for sowing to conclude, hopes linger for a potential improvement in the sowing scenario in the upcoming days.
Sowing Numbers Paint a Dismal Account
Data from the state agriculture department echoes a disheartening narrative. In Gujarat, coriander has been sown in 1,25,000 hectares until January 1 of the current season. Comparing this to the same period the previous year, a stark contrast emerges, with a reduction of 96,800 hectares or 43.64 percent in coriander sowing. The figures indicate a significant downturn in the sowing enthusiasm for this culinary essential.
Despite limited arrivals of coriander in major producing states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the market witnesses feeble buying activities. In the Ramganj market of Rajasthan, a modest arrival of two and a half to three thousand bags of coriander is reported. However, weak buying sentiments prevail, leading to a recent decline in wholesale prices.
International Trade Of Coriander
The global coriander trade scene tells a different part of the same coin. According to Spices Board data, during the first seven months of the current financial year 2023-24, India has exported 76,848.28 tonnes. A stark contrast from the previous year, where only 24,790.62 tonnes were exported. Despite visible signs of shortage in sowing, the international demand seems to offer a silver lining.
Coriander faces a sluggish sowing season, with Gujarat experiencing a significant decline. Despite limited domestic demand and weak buying activities, the global trade, marked by a substantial increase in exports, offers a contrasting perspective, potentially brightening the future for coriander. While domestic challenges cast shadows on coriander’s growth, the surge in international exports signals a potential lifeline.