NEW DELHI, Sept 15: Jeera exports are likely to increase by 50 per cent to about 1.2 lakh tonnes in the current crop year (February-March) due to poor prospects from politically unstable Syria, a key producer of cumin seed.
Syria, Turkey and Iran are the three main jeera producing nations other than the India. According to exporters, the production in both Syria and Turkey this year has declined by around 25 per cent to 15,000-20,000 tonnes.
“Exports of jeera will be higher by 50 per cent this year in comparison with last year as production has declined in the major jeera producing nation Syria due to political unrest,” APMC Unjha Chairman Gaurang N Patel told PTI.
Unjha is the biggest jeera market in the country.
Patel said exports of jeera in the April-June period has increased by 25 per cent to 28,000 tonnes from 22,396 tonnes in the same period last fiscal.
Exporters see demand picking up on account of cheaper rates.
Leading jeera exporter Jabs International Director Shailesh Shah said: “Exports are set to to cross one lakh tonne mark as Indian jeera in the international market is available for around USD 2200 per tonne as against around USD 2600 per tonne for jeera from Syria.”
On back of good quality crop, the demand of Indian jeera is also higher and this has opened up new markets.
“This year, there is demand of jeera from middle east countries like Jordan and Iraq which usually buy from Syria and Turkey,” Shah said.
According to the data maintained by the Spices Board India, the production for the 2012-13 season (February-March) is estimated at 3,94,328 tonnes, which traders believe will increase by 25-30 per cent this season.
Sowing of jeera mainly starts from the last week of the October and harvesting begins from the month of February. (PTI)