Jeera January contract gained Rs 468 and settled at Rs 16492 per quintal on fresh buying by traders expecting good demand for exports and on low supplies in spot markets. As on Dec. 19, cumin seed was sown on 264,000 hectares from last year's 209,300 hectares in Gujarat. The better crop expectations from Gujarat and Rajasthan could be hampered by reports of higher temperatures in growing areas that could affect the productivity to some extent as per traders. Reports as per data compiled by Gujarat Agri Dept indicates more than 50% rise in sowing area to ~1.13 lakh ha vs ~0.50 lakh ha last year. Good rains early this year could have a positive impact on the sowing activities in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Medium term trend looks firm from expected rise in export demand . A firmness in Dollar vs Re too could support the export factor. In India, the world's largest producer and exporter of jeera, the crop is cultivated during the winter -- from October to December -- and harvested in February-April. In Unjha, a key spot market in Gujarat, jeera gained 41.1 rupees to end at 15544.45 rupees per 100 kg.. The contract made intraday low of Rs 15905 a kg and high of Rs 16610 a kg. Support for jeera is at 16061 below that could see a test of 15631. Resistance is now seen at 16766 above that could see a resistance of 17041.

Trading Ideas:

Jeera trading range is 15631-17041.

Jeera rose on fresh buying by traders expecting good demand for exports and on low supplies in spot markets

Good rains early this year could have a positive impact on the sowing activities in Gujarat and Rajasthan

NCDEX accredited warehouses jeera stocks gained by 16 tonnes to 7957 tonnes.

In Unjha, a key spot market in Gujarat, jeera gained 41.1 rupees to end at 15544.45 rupees per 100 kg.