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Why Indian cumin exports to China collapsed 80% in FY26
China bought 76% less Indian cumin in FY26 after a record domestic harvest. Total Indian cumin exports fell 28% to $524 million. Turkey's imports jumped fivefold.
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China bought 76% less cumin from India in the 2025-26 financial year. The drop was the single biggest driver of a 28% decline in India's total cumin export value, which fell to $524 million from $732 million a year earlier.
Chinese imports from India fell to 9,271 tonnes from 38,721 tonnes. In dollar terms, the trade shrank 80% to $22.81 million. The reason, according to Yogesh Mehta of SpicExim, was a bumper Chinese domestic harvest. "Last year, China had a very good crop of around 85,000-90,000 tonnes, and hence, it avoided buying from India," Mehta said.
Total Indian cumin exports by volume fell 14% to 1.96 lakh tonnes from 2.29 lakh tonnes. In rupee terms, export value dropped 25% to Rs 4,611 crore.
The Middle East and North Africa region also bought less. Mehta blamed the Iran-US-Israel conflict for disrupting shipments there. Exports to the US fell to 15,458 tonnes from 17,384 tonnes. The UAE took 29,752 tonnes, down from 30,694. Bangladesh imported 29,579 tonnes versus 30,515 a year earlier.