India jeera futures end down on profit-taking

MUMBAI, Nov 20 (Reuters) - India jeera futures ended weak as traders booked profits after prices rose nearly 5 percent since the start of this week, analysts said.

Fundamentals, however, remained firm on robust overseas demand and a fall in acreage, analysts said.

Export demand is firm as leading global producers Syria and Turkey continue to quote at a premium to Indian prices.

Jeera exports in October 2009 climbed to 5,500 tonnes from 5,475 tonnes in the same period last year.

A prolonged hot and dry spell has delayed the sowing of cumin, or jeera, slashing acreage 25-30 percent from last year, but traders and analysts said the deficit could narrow if conditions improve. [nBOM487298]

Spot jeera rose by over 10 rupees to end at 13,508.35 rupees per 100 kg in Unjha, a major trading hub in Gujarat.

Following are the closing prices of jeera futures in rupees per 100 kg on the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Ltd. <0#NJE:>

Contract Reuters code Price Change in %

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