A fennel seeds price per kg, a coriander seeds price in India, a chilli price today or a turmeric price per kg depends on four things: the size of the latest crop, the stock still in store, the grade and the demand. This page gives no prices, because they move daily and a quote for export includes more than the market-yard rate.
Each of the four crops has its own calendar and its own risks. Below is what to watch for each and how to ask for a quote you can rely on.
What moves fennel?
Fennel is grown mostly in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Price follows the crop size and, more than for most spices, the colour. Green, bold seed earns a higher price than pale or broken seed. Why green colour matters in fennel explains the grading. Fennel is also stored, so old stock can weigh on the market.
What moves coriander?
Coriander is sown in the cool season, and its price is sensitive to the area planted and to weather at flowering. Grades such as eagle and scooter reflect colour and split seed, which is why a quote must name the grade. Coriander is also used heavily in India, so domestic demand sets a floor under exports.
What moves chilli and turmeric?
Chilli and turmeric are tied to colour and strength as well as crop size. A chilli with high ASTA colour and defined heat is a different product from an ordinary one, as chilli and turmeric specs explained shows. Turmeric price follows curcumin content, polish and finger size.
Cold-store stocks of chilli matter too. Large stocks can hold back the market even after a poor crop. Monsoon weather and crop prices and why Indian spice prices change cover the weather side.
What turns a market rate into an export quote?
The market-yard rate is for loose goods in the market. For an export quote, the supplier adds these items:
- Cleaning, grading and sorting to your specification, with the yield loss that causes.
- Treatment such as steam sterilisation, if you ask for it.
- Laboratory testing for residues, toxins and microbiology.
- Packing, labelling, palletising and loading.
- Documents, port handling and the supplier's margin.
How do you read a quote that looks too low?
A low offer usually has a reason. It may be for a lower grade, an older crop, a wider tolerance on foreign matter, or no treatment and testing. Ask the supplier to confirm each of these in writing. If the answer is vague, ask for a sample from the current lot and test it before you spend more time on the offer.
Also ask how long the offer holds and whether the quantity is already in the plant's store. A quote for goods the plant has not yet bought is a quote that can change.
Next step
Ask each supplier for a firm FOB quote against the same written specification, and compare only like with like. To have that done for you, book a free sourcing review. We work only for the buyer and agree one written fee in advance.