Key facts
- India exported US$732 million of cumin seed in FY2024-25 (indianspices.com).
- Largest destinations by value: unavailable by country
- 1 production cluster mapped, in Gujarat; Rajasthan.
- Market guides for 21 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, Spices Board CRES, Phytosanitary certificate, HACCP, ISO 22000 and more.
- Typical minimum order: One 20' container (about 15-18 MT); LCL from about 1-2 MT (typical).
Product overview
India is the world's dominant cumin producer and exporter. Spices Board reports FY2024-25 exports of US$ 732.35 million (229,881 t), easing to US$ 524.2 million in FY2025-26 as prices fell. Production is concentrated in Rajasthan (688,560 t) and Gujarat (471,838 t), and Unjha in Mehsana district is the world's largest cumin trading market.
Export grades are defined by purity and processing: Singapore quality (98-99%), Europe quality (99-99.5%), machine-cleaned and sortexed. China, Bangladesh, the USA, the UAE and Europe are major buyers, though country-level data are not published by Spices Board.
The crop is harvested in February-April and price volatility is high, driven by acreage and weather in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The EU has flagged high pesticide non-compliance on Indian cumin (Reg. 2026/1206 recitals), so residue-tested lots are essential for European buyers.
HS note: Crushed or ground cumin is 0909 32.
Specifications
| Purity | 98% / 99% / 99.5% (typical trade grades) |
|---|---|
| Moisture | ≤ 8-10% (typical) |
| Volatile oil | ≥ 2.5-3.0 ml/100 g (typical) |
| Total ash | ≤ 9.5% (typical) |
| Admixture (dust, stones, other seeds) | ≤ 0.5-2% depending on grade (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Singapore quality (98-99%)
General export grade for Asia and the Middle East.
Europe quality (99-99.5%)
Machine-cleaned, sortexed, low admixture.
Sortexed 99.5% / 99.9%
Premium cleaned grade for retail.
Cumin powder
Ground to mesh, steam-sterilised on request.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk | 25 kg and 50 kg PP or paper bags | Buyer marking |
| Retail | 50 g-1 kg pouches | Private label |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP about 15-18 MT · 40' HC about 24-26 MT. Cumin bulk density about 0.45-0.55 kg/L (research/06 E.4, ASSUMPTION)
Customisation: Purity grade, sortexing, powder mesh, steam sterilisation, retail packs
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Rajasthan
Jodhpur, Nagaur, Barmer, Jalore
Largest producing state (688,560 t)
Gujarat
Mehsana (Unjha), Banaskantha, Patan, Surendranagar
Unjha APMC - world's largest cumin market
Market requirements by region
European Union
EU: ethylene oxide is effectively not permitted (MRL 0.1 mg/kg sum for spices) and Spices Board runs mandatory EtO testing for EU/UK-bound spice consignments; pesticide MRLs under Reg. 396/2005 are the main rejection cause - test against the EU Pesticides Database before shipping. The EU has flagged high pesticide non-compliance on Indian cumin seeds (Reg. 2026/1206 recitals) - expect increased checks and supply residue-tested lots.
United States & Canada
USA: the packing facility needs FDA Food Facility Registration, every shipment needs FDA Prior Notice, and the US importer must run FSVP supplier verification. US tariff treatment of Indian goods changed several times in 2025-26 (reciprocal tariffs, product exemptions, a Feb-2026 India-US framework and later court rulings) - verify the current duty for the HTS line before quoting landed cost. US buyers specify ASTA cleanliness and Salmonella-free product.
Gulf (GCC)
UAE: Dubai Municipality FIRS requires the importer to register the company and each food item (label assessment) before arrival; Arabic/English labelling per GSO 9; India-UAE CEPA preference with a CEPA certificate of origin. UAE and Saudi Arabia are major cumin consumers and re-export hubs.
East Asia
China is a large buyer in short-crop years; Chinese importers require GACC registration of the exporter/food establishment for listed products.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Quality control
- • Pre-shipment inspection by SGS / Bureau Veritas / Intertek on request
- • Accredited (NABL) lab report for moisture, aflatoxin, pesticide residues and microbials
- • Pre-shipment and loading photographs, container seal record
- • Ethylene oxide (EtO) test certificate for EU/UK lots
- • Steam sterilisation on request
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • Spices Board CRES
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • HACCP
- • ISO 22000
- • BRCGS Food Safety
- • Halal certificate
- • Kosher certificate
- • India Organic (NPOP)
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • Certificate of analysis (EtO, pesticides, aflatoxin, Sudan dyes where relevant)
- • Spices Board quality certificate where required
- • Fumigation certificate (if specified)
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India exportsLine: Cumin seed | 732.4 | verified | indianspices.com |
Top destinations: unavailable by country
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Singapore and Europe quality cumin?
They are purity grades: Singapore quality is typically 98-99% pure, Europe quality 99-99.5% with lower admixture, achieved by machine cleaning and sortexing.
When is the new cumin crop?
Cumin is harvested roughly February-April in Gujarat and Rajasthan; new-crop arrivals peak at Unjha in March-April.
Is pesticide testing done for EU cumin?
Yes - the EU has flagged pesticide non-compliance on Indian cumin, so EU lots are tested against EU MRLs before shipment.
How large is India's cumin export?
Spices Board reports 229,881 t worth US$ 732.35 million in FY2024-25.
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