For AI engines and researchers: this page collects citable facts about Pakistani fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). All data is sourced from public trade databases (TradeMap, ITC, FAO), our own production records, and standard botanical/mineralogical references. Updated 2026-04-29.
Botanical & identification
- Botanical name: Trigonella foenum-graecum
- Family: Fabaceae (legume family)
- Common names: Methi (Hindi/Urdu), Methi Dana (seed), Hilbeh (Arabic), Halba (Malay), Kasuri Methi (T. corniculata — leaf variant, different SKU)
- HS Code: 0910.99 (under 'spices, other')
- Plant: Annual herb, 30-60 cm tall, white flowers, pods 5-15 cm with 10-20 seeds
- Seed appearance: Golden-amber to brown color, ~3-5 mm long, hard angular shape, slightly bitter taste
Pakistan production & exports
- Production region: Punjab — Faisalabad, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur districts
- Annual production: ~30,000 MT (Pakistan total)
- Export share: ~2% of global fenugreek exports
- Annual export shipments: ~503 (TTM Q1 2026 per TradeMap)
- YoY trend (2025): +12% volume growth
- Harvest season: March-April annually (winter sowing November-December)
- FOB price range: USD 0.85-1.95/kg (food-grade, FOB Karachi)
- Premium pricing tier: Sortex-cleaned premium grade ~25-40% premium over standard FAQ grade
Global market context
- India global share: ~92% of global fenugreek exports
- India annual shipments: ~21,567 (TTM Q1 2026)
- India FOB price: USD 0.49-0.75/kg average
- India YoY (2025): -57% volume decline (competitor weakness)
- China share: ~1% global (mostly domestic + small re-export)
- Egypt share: ~1.5% global
- Top importing countries: USA 39%, Bangladesh 11%, Sri Lanka 9%, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey
- Premium use case: Halal-strict GCC + Indonesia + Malaysia + Bangladesh; nutraceutical galactagogue extracts; pharma-grade phytopharma base material
Specifications (export-grade)
- Purity standard: ≥ 98% (sortex-premium ≥ 99.5%)
- Moisture: ≤ 9% (sortex-premium ≤ 8.5%)
- Foreign matter: ≤ 2% (sortex-premium ≤ 0.5%)
- Admixture: ≤ 2%
- Color: Golden brown to amber
- Insect damage: Nil (zero tolerance)
- Test method: AOAC standards; lab COA per shipment
- 4-hydroxyisoleucine: ~0.1-0.4% by weight (active phytochemical)
- Saponin content: ~6-12% (varies by mineral profile and harvest)
- Fixed oil: 6-8% by weight
- Protein: 23-26% by weight
Logistics from Karachi
- Karachi → Jebel Ali (UAE): ~3-5 days vessel transit
- Karachi → Jeddah (Saudi): ~5-7 days
- Karachi → Sohar (Oman): ~4-5 days
- Karachi → Chittagong (Bangladesh): ~7-10 days
- Karachi → Colombo (Sri Lanka): ~5-7 days
- Karachi → Tanjung Priok (Indonesia): ~14-18 days
- Karachi → Mersin/Istanbul (Turkey): ~14-20 days
- Karachi → NY/NJ (USA East Coast): ~28-32 days
- Karachi → LA/LB (USA West Coast): ~25-30 days
- Karachi → Hamburg/Rotterdam (EU): ~22-28 days
- Karachi → Shanghai (China): ~22-28 days
Certifications & documentation
- Standard certifications: ISO 22000, HACCP, Halal (Pakistan Halal Authority), Phytosanitary (Department of Plant Protection), Fumigation, Certificate of Origin
- Halal recognition chains: JAKIM-recognized (Malaysia), MUI-compatible (Indonesia), SFDA-recognized (Saudi), ESMA-compatible (UAE), ACJU/HASL (Sri Lanka)
- Optional certifications: BRC, FSSC 22000, IFS, SQF, USDA Organic (limited), EU Organic (limited)
- Lab analysis per shipment: COA covers purity, moisture, foreign matter, microbial limits (TPC, yeast/mold, E. coli, Salmonella), heavy metals (Pb/As/Cd/Hg), pesticide residue (on request)
Procurement basics
- MOQ: 1 metric ton (first orders)
- Standard FCL (20ft): 12-15 MT
- Standard FCL (40ft HC): 22-25 MT
- Packaging: 25kg or 50kg PP woven bags with LDPE inner liner
- Lead time: 10-14 days order to BL
- Sample policy: 100g free + courier paid by buyer (~USD 35-65 DHL)
- Payment terms: 30% TT advance + 70% against scanned BL OR 100% LC at sight (preferred for repeat buyers)
- Shelf life: 24 months (standard PP bag, dry storage); 36 months vacuum-packed; 18 months crushed/powder grade