Jeera prices experienced an increase of 3.04%, concluding at Rs. 28,460. This rise is attributed to heightened export demand, a reduction in both domestic and global supplies, and apprehensions regarding unfavourable weather conditions that may impact the forthcoming crop. Limited Syrian supplies have heightened reliance on Indian cumin, bolstering export demand, while the El Niño phenomenon has triggered apprehensions regarding rainfall patterns and water availability in crucial agricultural regions. Gujarat has officially designated Jamnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, and Kutch as scarcity-hit regions, underscoring the escalating agricultural challenges faced in these areas.
However, the anticipation of stable-to-increased sowing acreage in Saurashtra and western Rajasthan, coupled with favourable residual soil moisture and enhanced harvesting conditions, curtailed aggressive buying. Farmers have been liquidating existing stocks to generate funds for the upcoming season, while processors and millers have curtailed procurement at elevated prices. Indian cumin production is projected to be between 90 and 92 lakh bags, a decrease from last year’s figure of 1.10 crore bags. Specifically, production in Gujarat is anticipated to range from 42 to 45 lakh bags, while Rajasthan’s output is expected to be between 48 and 50 lakh bags.
China’s cumin production is projected to be between 70,000 and 80,000 tonnes. In comparison, Syria is anticipated to produce 9,000 to 10,000 tonnes, Turkey 10,000 to 11,000 tonnes, and Afghanistan 10,000 to 12,000 tonnes. Meanwhile, India’s jeera exports experienced a decline of 19.7% year-on-year, totalling 11,667 tonnes in August 2026. Cumulatively, shipments from April to August decreased to 65,128 tonnes, down from 87,558 tonnes in the previous year. While there was an uptick in exports to the USA, Singapore, and Mexico, there was a significant decrease in shipments to the UAE and Bangladesh. On a broader basis, exports during September 2025-August 2026 experienced a decline of 17.4%, totalling 174,479 tonnes.
In Unjha, a significant spot market, prices increased by 0.01% to Rs. 27,181.10. Technically, jeera is experiencing short covering, as open interest has decreased by 10.45% to 3,831 contracts, while prices have risen by Rs. 840, suggesting the covering of existing short positions. Support is positioned at Rs. 27,590, with an additional level at Rs. 26,730. Conversely, resistance is identified at Rs. 29,010, beyond which prices may approach Rs. 29,570.
