India Celery Price Trends-August 2026
Indian celery seed prices have risen to all-time high levels, currently trading approximately 9% above last month and around 65% higher than the same period last year.
Raw material (seed) costs have moved from roughly INR 150/kg (USD 1.58/kg) in the prior season to an INR 275-280/kg (USD 2.89-2.95/kg) range currently — an increase of over 80%.
On a spot basis, celery prices are up approximately 123% versus the same period in 2025
The rally reflects a combination of low carry-forward stocks, strong export and extraction-industry demand, rain-delayed harvest arrivals, and farmer/stockist holding behaviour.
Although farmers expanded planted area by an estimated 20-30% for the 2026 season in response to last year's strong prices, adverse temperature and climatic conditions during the growing period reduced yields, leaving overall production below what the acreage expansion would otherwise suggest.
With the harvest nearing its end and no significant fresh arrivals expected in the near term, the structural conditions behind the current price levels remain firmly in place. We expect celery-derived raw material and ingredient costs to stay firm through the coming season.
| Metric | Value | Comparison Base | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month-on-month price | Current level | vs. last month | +9% |
| Year-on-year price | Current level | vs. same period 2025 | +65% |
| Raw material (seed) price | INR 275-280/kg (USD 2.89-2.95/kg) | vs. INR 150/kg (USD 1.58/kg) last season | +83-87% |
| Spot price variation | Current level | vs. same period 2025 | +123% |
Key Market Drivers
| Driver | Impact on Market |
|---|---|
| Carry-forward stocks | Low opening inventory left the market with little buffer heading into the new season, amplifying the effect of any supply shortfall. |
| Export demand | Sustained pull from key export markets (notably the United States, where celery is one of the principal Indian spice imports alongside cumin, fennel and fenugreek) has kept pressure on available volumes. |
| Harvest & weather | Rain-delayed harvest arrivals slowed the flow of fresh stock to market, while adverse temperature conditions during the growing season reduced per-acre yields despite a larger planted area. |
| Acreage vs. yield | Farmers expanded planted area by an estimated 20-30% for the 2026 season in response to last season's high prices, but adverse climatic conditions offset the acreage gain, keeping overall production below expectations. |
| Farmer holding behaviour | With prices at record levels and the outlook still firm, farmers and stockists are holding back material rather than releasing it, tightening near-term spot availability. |
| End of harvest window | The harvest is nearing its end with no significant fresh arrivals expected in the near term, meaning the conditions currently supporting prices are likely to persist into the coming months. |
Market Outlook
Industry sentiment points to continued firmness through the remainder of the season. With harvest activity winding down and no material fresh supply anticipated before the next crop cycle, the factors currently underpinning record prices — thin carry-forward stocks, sustained export and extraction demand, and farmer/stockist holding behaviour — are expected to persist in the near term.
We wanted to flag this proactively so you can factor it into your planning & given this market movement.
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