Ahmedabad: Jeera (cumin) and variyali (fennel) from Unjha have been awarded Geographical Indication (GI) tags under Class 30 (Spices), granting India’s largest spice trading hub a distinct global identity.Issued by the GI Registry in Chennai in the name of the Unjha Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), the registrations were secured with support from the state directorate of horticulture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII).The move is expected to help growers and traders build a premium identity, improve market positioning, and unlock fresh export opportunities.“The industry plans to leverage this recognition to boost exports through enhanced global branding, packaging, and retail marketing for cumin and fennel,” said U Karthik, co-chairman of the Federation of Indian Spice Stakeholders (FISS). “We will work with the Spices Board of India to develop a formal strategy covering labelling and retail branding, and will also apply for international GI recognition to secure stronger visibility and protection in overseas markets.”Gujarat currently exports cumin to 70-80 countries, averaging 1.75 lakh metric tonnes annually (peaking at 2.4 lakh metric tonnes). Fennel exports average 15,000–20,000 metric tonnes per year, touching 30,000 metric tonnes in peak years.Supported by the Unjha APMC, these GI-tagged spices are already being showcased at trade fairs. FISS officials added that the central government’s One District One Product (ODOP) scheme has further boosted such promotional initiatives.
