Unjha cumin, fennel receive GI tag, strengthening Gujarat's global spice identity
Mehsana, July 28
Gujarat's renowned Unjha Cumin and Unjha Fennel have been awarded the prestigious Geographical Indication tag by the Government of India in collaboration with the Gujarat Government, providing the products with a distinct geographical identity and further strengthening the state's position as a global leader in the spice trade.
Located in Mehsana district, Unjha is home to one of Asia's largest cumin markets and has earned a reputation for producing premium-quality spices supplied across India and exported to international markets.
Businessman Binu Patel of APMC Unjha said the region has long been recognised for the quality of its cumin.
"Unjha is renowned for its premium-quality cumin and is home to one of Asia's largest spice markets. Cumin from the Unjha APMC is supplied to Rajasthan, Kutch, Saurashtra and several other regions before being distributed across India and exported worldwide," he said.
Another trader, Deepak Patel, described the GI recognition as a matter of pride for the region.
"The Central and State Governments have granted the GI tag to Unjha Cumin and Unjha Fennel. This recognition has further enhanced the prestige of Unjha and its internationally known spice market," he said.
Gujarat contributes nearly 80 per cent of India's exports of cumin and other spice seeds. During 2024-25, cumin and other spice seeds worth approximately ₹3,995 crore were exported from Mehsana district to 101 countries, with major export destinations including China (25 per cent), Bangladesh (16 per cent), the UAE (10 per cent), the United States (5 per cent), and Morocco (4 per cent).
Chairman of APMC Unjha, Dinesh Patel, said the GI tag is expected to enhance the products' reputation in international markets.
"With the GI tag, our products will gain greater recognition globally, leading to higher demand and better returns for farmers and traders," he said.
The GI recognition is expected to protect the identity and authenticity of Unjha's iconic spices, boost exports, improve market value and strengthen Gujarat's reputation as a global hub for high-quality agricultural produce.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Excellent step by the government. Now we need more such GI tags for other regional products - like Kashmiri saffron, Munnar tea, etc. This will boost our 'Made in India' image worldwide. Hope the benefits actually reach the farmers and not just middlemen chaar log.
Having visited Unjha market myself, I can vouch for the aroma and quality of their spices. This GI tag is well-deserved. But we must ensure strict quality control - don't want people misusing this tag like some other GI products. Hope APMC monitors properly.
As someone who imports Indian spices for my restaurant in the UK, this is welcome news. GI tags give customers confidence in authenticity. The Unjha cumin has that distinctive earthy flavor - my chef swears by it! Hope this means more stable supply and better traceability.
While I'm happy for Gujarat, let's not ignore the fact that many small farmers still struggle with middlemen taking most of the profit. GI tag alone won't solve poverty in rural areas. Government must also provide cold storage facilities, better transport corridors, and direct farmer-to-buyer platforms. Still, a step in right direction. Accha kaam hai!
This is why I always prefer buying whole spices from local vendors rather than branded packs. The aroma of fresh Unjha jeera is unmatched! GI tag will help preserve this heritage for future generations. Now time to give similar recognition to our masala blends - like Kolhapuri misal masala or Hyderabadi biryani spice mix! 😄
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