Indian cumin is a winter crop, sown around October to December and harvested roughly from February to April. Market arrivals at Unjha and other APMCs usually peak around March and April.
Prices are often at their softest when arrivals are heaviest, because farmers are selling at the same time. That pattern is common, not guaranteed. A poor crop, low stocks or strong export demand can push prices up even at harvest.
The crop calendar
Timings are approximate and shift by a few weeks from year to year and between Gujarat and Rajasthan.
- October to December: sowing, after the monsoon has set soil moisture.
- December to January: crop growth. Cold, dry weather suits cumin. Fog, frost or unseasonal rain bring disease risk.
- February to April: harvest, threshing and drying.
- March to April: peak arrivals at the APMC markets.
- May onwards: farmers and stockists hold the rest and release it through the year.
Why prices often ease at harvest
During peak arrivals the market has a lot of fresh seed to absorb. Many farmers need cash after the season and sell quickly. Buyers can choose among more lots, and processors fill their stores.
After the peak, arrivals fall and the market is supplied from stock. Holders can wait for better prices, so the floor often rises through the year. Our guide on why Indian spice prices change explains these forces across products.
When the pattern breaks
- Weather damage during growth or at harvest cuts volume and quality, and prices can rise at harvest instead of falling.
- Low carry-over stock from the previous year leaves less to cushion demand.
- Strong buying from large importing countries can absorb the new crop quickly.
- A smaller sown area, when farmers switch to other crops, shows up as lower arrivals.
- Crops in other origins such as Syria, Turkey or Iran affect how much the world needs from India.
What this means for booking
Many buyers aim to fix their annual cumin needs during or just after peak arrivals, when they can also see the quality of the new crop. Others book part early and part later to spread the risk. No one can reliably pick the bottom.
If you book a season, agree the grade, quantity, shipment schedule and how price is fixed in writing. The general guide on forward or seasonal price booking covers the terms, and the harvest calendar for major Indian spices helps if you buy several products.
Confirm the timing for each year with your supplier and with arrival reports, because the season can start early or late.
Where we come in
We follow cumin arrivals and quality at Unjha through the harvest, report what we see, and help you book with a processor when the crop and price suit you. To plan your next season, ask for a free sourcing review.