The average mandi prices of cumin seeds (jeera) has declined by 50% to Rs 300/kg from Rs 600/kg in October, at Unjha (Gujarat), the hub of the trade. The fall was due to anticipation of a bumper harvest, traders said. Although arrivals of jeera in the mandis have commenced, the peak of arrivals of the commodity is expected by end of February, after which the prices are likely to soften further.

Trade sources said that because of higher realisation last year, jeera has been sown in around 1.2 million hectare, mostly in Rajasthan and Gujarat this season (2023-24), while in the previous season, only 0.9 million hectares (mha) was under the spices variety cultivation.

“The prices are expected to decline further as a bumper harvest is projected because of higher are…