If you love Indian delicacies, especially the fiery hot cuisine tossed in cumin seeds, mustard seeds and red chili, the recent rise in the price of one of the widely consumed condiments is certainly going to spoil the taste of many preparations. The stupendous rise in the prices of cumin is also likely to dilute the strong aroma of commonly practiced ‘jeera tadka’ in many kitchens. Cumin seed (jeera) prices, which was available at a price of Rs 250 per kg in the city’s wholesale market in July 2022, has now touched its all time high of Rs 700 per kg. While dealers and wholesalers said that short supply of cumin seeds is affecting the prices, some of the market observers said hedging of the commodity is also pushing up its price.

 

It is important to note that unfavourable weather conditions in cumin growing areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan have damaged the crop due to which there is a huge gap between its demand and supply. The experts said that a large deficit of cumin in the current season is constantly pushing up the prices. From its price tag of Rs 250 per kg in July, 2022, cumin price went up to Rs 300 per kg in September 2022. It then jumped to Rs 400 per kg in January 2023 and Rs 450 per kg in April in the same current year.

 

In May the market saw a new high of Rs 500 per kg followed by another all time high of Rs 590 on June 20 in the current year. Continuing its inflationary trend, cumin price touched the all time high of Rs 700 per kg on June 27.

Ritesh Raichada, one of the wholesalers based in Itwari market, told The Hitavada on Thursday that prices of cumin seeds have been flying high for the past few months. “We have never seen cumin seed prices at these levels. In a span of one year, the prices have gone beyond our imagination,” he said. Unjha Mandi in Gujarat is the main market for cumin from where it is supplied to various parts of the country. In addition to this, Unjha Mandi traders also export it.