Key facts
- India exported US$91 million of fennel seed in FY2024-25 (indianspices.com).
- Largest destinations by value: unavailable by country
- Market guides for 23 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, Spices Board CRES, Phytosanitary certificate, HACCP, ISO 22000 and more.
- Typical minimum order: One 20' container (about 12-14 MT) or LCL (typical).
Product overview
India is the world's leading fennel producer. Spices Board reports production led by Gujarat (131,129 t) and Rajasthan (44,094 t), and exports of US$ 90.93 million in FY2024-25. Unjha in Gujarat is the main trading hub.
Export fennel is graded by colour (green is premium), seed size and purity: Singapore quality (about 98-99%), Europe quality (99%+), and the fine, sweet Lucknowi type prized as a mouth freshener. Fennel is sold whole, as powder and in sweetened/coated forms.
The crop is harvested in February-April. Buyers use it in spice blends, sausages, bakery, herbal teas and confectionery.
HS note: Crushed or ground fennel is 0909 62.
Specifications
| Purity | 98% / 99% / 99.5% (typical) |
|---|---|
| Moisture | ≤ 10% (typical) |
| Volatile oil | ≥ 1.5-2.5 ml/100 g (typical) |
| Colour | Green / greenish (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.
Europe quality (99%+)
Sortexed, low admixture.
Lucknowi (fine) fennel
Small, sweet, bright green - mouth freshener grade.
Fennel powder
Ground, steam-sterilised on request.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk | 25 kg PP / paper bags | |
| Retail | 50 g-1 kg pouches | Private label |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP about 12-14 MT (volume-limited) · 40' HC about 22-24 MT. Light seed
Customisation: Purity grade, Lucknowi fine type, powder, coated/sweetened mukhwas
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Gujarat
Mehsana (Unjha), Banaskantha, Patan
Largest producing state; Unjha market
Rajasthan
Nagaur, Jodhpur, Sirohi
Second-largest producer
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. Fennel goes into EU herbal teas and sausages; buyers require residue-tested 99%+ grades.
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 demand for sausage, bakery and tea applications; ASTA cleanliness specs apply.
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.
Southeast Asia
Malaysia and Indonesia buy fennel for curry powders and traditional medicine.
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: Fennel seed | 90.9 | verified | indianspices.com |
Top destinations: unavailable by country
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
What is Lucknowi fennel?
A fine, small, bright-green and sweet fennel type traded at a premium as a mouth freshener.
What purity grades are available?
Typically 98%, 99% and 99.5% purity, machine-cleaned and sortexed.
When is fennel harvested?
February to April in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Can you supply fennel powder?
Yes, ground to a specified mesh with steam sterilisation on request.
Request a quote for Fennel Seed (Lucknowi, Singapore and Europe Quality)
Tell us grade, quantity and destination. We reply with options, packaging and pricing on your Incoterm.
