Nigella Seed (Kalonji)
Nigella Seed (Kalonji)
GOHER EXPORTS — PRODUCT SHEET
حبة البركة (كلونجي) — NIGELLA SEED (KALONJI) — Whole Seed / بذور كاملة
🏢 GOHER EXPORTS — COMPANY OVERVIEW
| Field | Detail |
| Company | GOHER EXPORTS |
| Product | Nigella Seed (Kalonji) – Whole Seed |
| Target Market | Gulf Spice & Food Market (GCC) |
| Origin | Pakistan |
| Product Form | Whole Seed / بذور كاملة غير مطحونة |
📋 PRODUCT OVERVIEW — QUICK LOOK
| Attribute | Detail |
| Common Name | Nigella Seed / Kalonji / Black Seed / Black Cumin / حبة البركة |
| Scientific Name | Nigella sativa |
| HS Code | 0910.99.12 (Spices – Nigella Seed) |
| Product Form | Whole Seed (بذور كاملة) |
| Country of Origin | Pakistan |
| Peak Buying Window | October – February (highest global demand) |
| Target Moisture Limit | ≤ 8% (max 10% for premium grade) |
| Standard Export Packing | 25kg / 50kg PP Bags; 500g / 1kg Retail Pouches; 10kg Cartons |
| MOQ – Bulk Supply | 1 × 20ft FCL (approx. 10–12 MT) |
| MOQ – Retail Packing | 5,000 units per SKU per order |
| FOB (Karachi) | $1,800 – $2,400 / MT (depending on season & grade) |
| CNF (GCC Port) | $2,100 – $2,800 / MT (depending on destination port) |
| Payment Terms | 30% Advance + 70% against BL Copy / L/C at Sight |
| Shelf Life | 24 months (under proper storage conditions) |
🧬 TECHNICAL & BOTANICAL INFORMATION
| Parameter | Specification |
| Scientific Classification | Kingdom: Plantae; Family: Ranunculaceae |
| Plant Type | Annual flowering herb |
| Seed Color | Deep black, triangular-ovoid |
| Odor & Flavor | Pungent, slightly bitter, aromatic (thymoquinone-rich) |
| Purity | ≥ 99% (minimum) |
| Admixture | ≤ 1% (max 2% for standard grade) |
| Foreign Matter | ≤ 0.5% |
| Moisture Content | 8% max (Premium); 10% max (Standard) |
| Volatile Oil Content | ≥ 0.5% – 1.5% (thymoquinone-rich) |
| Ash Content | ≤ 6% |
| Acid Insoluble Ash | ≤ 1.5% |
| Microbiological | Salmonella: Absent / 25g; E. coli: Absent; Yeast & Mold: ≤ 10³ CFU/g |
| Aflatoxins | B1 ≤ 5 ppb; Total ≤ 10 ppb (EU/ GCC compliant) |
| Pesticide Residues | Compliant with EU & GCC MRL standards |
| Irradiation | Non-irradiated / Steam treated |
🗺️ PAKISTAN PRODUCTION PROFILES
Regions / Districts / Cities Where Produced
| Province | Key Districts / Cities | % of National Production |
| Punjab | Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar, Multan, Lodhran, Vehari, Khanewal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur | ~ 65% |
| Sindh | Sukkur, Khairpur, Ghotki, Jacobabad, Larkana, Shikarpur, Kashmore | ~ 25% |
| Balochistan | Nasirabad, Jaffarabad, Sibi, Kachhi (Bolan) | ~ 8% |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Bannu | ~ 2% |
Note: The Cholistan Desert region (Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan) produces the highest quality Nigella Seed in Pakistan due to its arid climate and sandy-loam soil.
Seasonal Production Cycles
| Activity | Time Period |
| Sowing | October – December (Rabi crop) |
| Flowering | February – March |
| Harvesting | April – May |
| Processing & Cleaning | May – July |
| Peak Export Season | June – December |
| Off-Season Availability | January – May (from cold storage stock) |
🌍 GLOBAL TRADE PROFILE
Largest Exporters of Nigella Seed Worldwide
| Rank | Country | Share (%) | Notes |
| 1 | India | ~ 40% | Largest producer & exporter |
| 2 | Pakistan | ~ 25% | Fastest growing; premium quality |
| 3 | Bangladesh | ~ 10% | Mostly domestic consumption |
| 4 | Egypt | ~ 8% | Mediterranean variety |
| 5 | Turkey | ~ 7% | High domestic demand |
| 6 | Myanmar | ~ 5% | Emerging supplier |
| 7 | Ethiopia / Sudan | ~ 3% | Organic potential |
| 8 | Others | ~ 2% | Syria, Iran, Afghanistan |
Largest Importers of Nigella Seed Worldwide
| Rank | Country / Region | % of Global Imports | Key Use |
| 1 | Saudi Arabia | ~ 18% | Spice, traditional medicine |
| 2 | UAE | ~ 12% | Re-export hub, food, pharma |
| 3 | USA | ~ 10% | Health supplements, spice blend |
| 4 | Bangladesh | ~ 9% | Culinary (bhorta, curry) |
| 5 | Kuwait | ~ 6% | Spice & herbal medicine |
| 6 | Qatar | ~ 4% | High per capita consumption |
| 7 | Oman | ~ 4% | Spice & health oil |
| 8 | Bahrain | ~ 2% | Retail & food service |
| 9 | Germany | ~ 5% | Organic, pharma, bakery |
| 10 | UK | ~ 4% | South Asian diaspora, health |
| 11 | Malaysia / Indonesia | ~ 6% | Halal pharma, beverages |
| 12 | Egypt / Jordan / Syria | ~ 8% | Regional consumption |
✅ Do GCC Countries Import from Pakistan?
YES — and significantly!
| GCC Country | Pakistan's Share of Their Total Nigella Imports | Trend |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | ~ 30–35% | 📈 Growing steadily |
| 🇦🇪 UAE | ~ 25–30% | 📈 Dubai re-exports |
| 🇰🇼 Kuwait | ~ 40–45% | 📈 Strong preference |
| 🇶🇦 Qatar | ~ 35–40% | 📈 Post-blockade shift |
| 🇴🇲 Oman | ~ 20–25% | 📈 Stable |
| 🇧🇭 Bahrain | ~ 30–35% | 📈 Growing |
Key GCC Port Destinations:
- Jebel Ali (Dubai, UAE) — Major hub
- Dammam / Jeddah (KSA)
- Shuwaikh (Kuwait)
- Hamad Port (Qatar)
- Sohar / Muscat (Oman)
- Khalifa Bin Salman (Bahrain)
🇵🇰 PAKISTAN EXPORT PROFILE — NIGELLA SEED
Export Statistics (Annual Estimates)
| Metric | Value |
| Total Production (Pakistan) | 35,000 – 45,000 MT/year |
| Domestic Consumption | ~ 15,000 – 20,000 MT |
| Export Volume | ~ 18,000 – 25,000 MT/year |
| Export Value | ~ $35 – $55 Million USD/year |
| Growth Rate | 8–12% CAGR over last 5 years |
| Top Export Destinations | KSA, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, USA, Bangladesh, Oman |
🏆 Why Pakistan Has an Edge Over Other Countries
| Factor | Pakistan's Advantage |
| 🌱 Climate & Soil | Arid/semi-arid zones of Punjab & Sindh provide ideal conditions — intense sunlight, low humidity, sandy-loam soil |
| 🧬 Thymoquinone Content | Pakistani Kalonji has higher thymoquinone levels (≥1.2%) compared to Indian (0.5-0.8%) — premium for pharma/health |
| 💰 Competitive Pricing | 10–15% cheaper than Indian equivalent due to lower labor & logistics costs |
| 🚢 Logistics Location | Proximity to GCC — Karachi to Dubai = 2–3 days transit; Jeddah = 5–6 days |
| 🧹 Cleaning & Grading | Modern color sorting & gravity separation facilities available (Karachi, Lahore) |
| 🌿 Organic Potential | Large organic cultivation areas with certification-ready farms |
| 📜 Halal & GCC Compliance | Pakistan Halal Authority certification; GCC accredited labs |
| 📈 Government Support | Export facilitation scheme, freight subsidies under SBP/EFF |
🇵🇰 Can Pakistani Products Compete in Price AND Quality?
| Aspect | Pakistan | India | Egypt | Turkey |
| Price (FOB/MT) | $1,800 – $2,400 | $2,000 – $2,700 | $2,200 – $2,900 | $2,500 – $3,200 |
| Thymoquinone % | 1.0 – 1.5% | 0.5 – 0.8% | 0.6 – 0.9% | 0.7 – 1.0% |
| Seed Size | Medium-large, uniform | Small-medium | Small | Medium |
| Purity (Machine Cleaned) | 99.5%+ | 98-99% | 98% | 99% |
| Packaging Quality | ✅ Export grade, multi-layer | ✅ Mixed | ❌ Inconsistent | ✅ Good |
| Moisture Control | ✅ ≤8% standard | ⚠️ 9-12% variable | ⚠️ 10-12% | ✅ ≤9% |
| Shipping Time to GCC | 2–5 days | 7–10 days | 10–14 days | 8–12 days |
| Certifications | Halal, Eurofins, SGS | APEDA, Organic | Organic | Organic, ISO |
✅ VERDICT: YES — Pakistan offers the best price-quality ratio in the world for Nigella Seed, particularly for the GCC market.
💚 HEALTH BENEFITS OF NIGELLA SEED (حبة البركة — الفوائد الصحية)
"Black Seed heals all diseases except death." — Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) — Sahih Bukhari
| Benefit | Scientific Basis (Thymoquinone) |
| 🫁 Respiratory Health | Anti-asthmatic, bronchodilator — relieves asthma, allergies, bronchitis |
| 🛡️ Immune Booster | Immunomodulatory — enhances natural killer cell activity |
| ❤️ Cardiovascular Support | Reduces LDL cholesterol, triglycerides; regulates blood pressure |
| 🩸 Diabetes Management | Improves insulin sensitivity, reduces fasting blood glucose |
| 🧠 Cognitive Health | Neuroprotective — combats oxidative stress in brain cells |
| 🔥 Anti-inflammatory | COX-2 inhibitor — effective against arthritis, joint pain |
| 🦠 Antimicrobial | Broad-spectrum antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal |
| 😌 Digestive Health | Carminative, anti-ulcer — relieves gas, bloating, indigestion |
| 🏋️ Metabolism & Weight | Thermogenic properties — boosts metabolism |
| 🧪 Anti-Cancer | Apoptosis induction in multiple cancer cell lines (research-backed) |
| 🧬 Skin & Hair | Topical use for eczema, acne, psoriasis; hair growth stimulation |
| 🤰 Women's Health | Galactagogue (increases breast milk); menstrual regulator |
🍽️ CULINARY BENEFITS & SPECIALTIES
| Application | Details |
| 🥘 Middle Eastern Cuisine | Essential for Khubz (bread), Manakeesh, Za'atar blend, cheese pies |
| 🍛 South Asian Cooking | Used in curries, pickles (achar), dal tadka, naan, paratha, biryani |
| 🥗 Salads & Dressings | Sprinkled over salads; infused in olive oil for dips |
| 🍞 Bakery & Pastry | Sesame seed replacement on breads; in bagels, crackers, flatbreads |
| 🧀 Dairy | Incorporated in labneh, cream cheese, yogurt toppings |
| 🥤 Beverages | Traditional Black Seed tea (Qahwa Habbat al-Baraka), smoothies |
| 🍯 Honey & Confectionery | Mixed with honey for medicinal syrup; in halwa & sweets |
| 🥩 Meat & Poultry | Rubs & marinades for lamb, chicken, beef — adds nutty, peppery flavor |
| 🥒 Pickling | Essential spice in Middle Eastern and South Asian pickling recipes |
Flavor Profile: Nutty, slightly bitter, peppery with a hint of oregano — often described as a cross between black pepper, cumin, and onion seeds.
📦 PACKING DETAILS
A. Bulk Export Packing (FCL)
| Pack Type | Weight | Packaging Material | Suitable For |
| Standard Bulk | 25 kg | 2-layer PP woven bag (inner food-grade liner) | Bulk buyers, repackers |
| Jumbo Bulk | 50 kg | PP woven bag or laminated jute | Industrial/wholesale |
| Super Jumbo | 500 kg – 1 MT | Jumbo FIBC bag (big bag) with inner liner | Large processors |
B. Retail / Consumer Packing
| SKU | Pack Size | Packaging | Units per Master Carton |
| GHE-KLJ-100 | 100g Stand-up pouch (zipper) | Foil laminate + valve | 100 |
| GHE-KLJ-200 | 200g Stand-up pouch (zipper) | Foil laminate + valve | 50 |
| GHE-KLJ-500 | 500g Stand-up pouch (zipper) | Foil laminate + valve | 20 |
| GHE-KLJ-001 | 1 kg Laminated bag / PET jar | Resealable | 10 |
| GHE-KLJ-005 | 5 kg Carton box with inner bag | Carton + food-grade LDPE | 4 |
C. Retail Labeling Specifications
- Bilingual Labeling: English ✅ + Arabic ✅ (mandatory for GCC)
- Country of Origin: "Product of Pakistan / منتج باكستان"
- Brand Name: GOHER EXPORTS
- Nutrition Facts Panel: In Arabic & English
- Barcode: EAN-13 (Global standard)
- Halal Certification Logo: Pakistan Halal Authority / recognized body
- Best Before / Expiry Date: Clearly printed
- Storage Instructions: "Store in a cool, dry place / يحفظ في مكان بارد وجاف"
- Importer Details: Name, address & phone in GCC country
- Lot/Batch Number: Traceable production lot
📊 PRODUCT IDENTIFIERS & SKUs
International HS Code
| Code | Description | Duty Rate (GCC) |
| 0910.99.12 | Nigella Seed (Kalonji) — whole, not crushed/ground | 0% – 5% (GCC FTA with Pakistan) |
| 0910.99.12.10 | For human consumption (spice grade) | 0% under PAFTA/GAFTA |
| 0910.99.12.90 | For pharmaceutical/industrial use | 0% – 3% |
Note: Under the Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement (under negotiation/early harvest) — preferential duty rates may apply.
Product SKUs
| SKU Code | Description | Pack Size |
| GHE-KLJ-B25 | Bulk Nigella Seed – 25kg PP Bag | 25 kg |
| GHE-KLJ-B50 | Bulk Nigella Seed – 50kg PP Bag | 50 kg |
| GHE-KLJ-R100 | Retail Nigella Seed – 100g Stand-up Pouch | 100 g |
| GHE-KLJ-R200 | Retail Nigella Seed – 200g Stand-up Pouch | 200 g |
| GHE-KLJ-R500 | Retail Nigella Seed – 500g Stand-up Pouch | 500 g |
| GHE-KLJ-R001 | Retail Nigella Seed – 1kg Bag | 1 kg |
| GHE-KLJ-O500 | Organic Nigella Seed – 500g Retail | 500 g |
| GHE-KLJ-O001 | Organic Nigella Seed – 1kg Retail | 1 kg |
| GHE-KLJ-F25 | Food Service / HORECA – 25kg Carton | 25 kg |
| GHE-KLJ-Ph25 | Pharma Grade – 25kg (GMP certified) | 25 kg |
💰 PRICING — BULK CONTAINER ORDERS
Bulk Pricing (FOB Karachi — USD per Metric Ton)
| Grade | Season (Oct–Mar) | Off-Season (Apr–Sep) |
| Premium (Purity ≥99.5%, Moisture ≤8%) | $2,200 – $2,400 / MT | $2,500 – $2,700 / MT |
| Standard (Purity ≥99%, Moisture ≤10%) | $1,800 – $2,000 / MT | $2,100 – $2,300 / MT |
| Organic (Certified) | $2,800 – $3,200 / MT | $3,200 – $3,600 / MT |
| Pharma Grade (Thymoquinone standardized) | $3,500 – $4,500 / MT | $4,000 – $5,000 / MT |
Container Loading Capacity — 40ft HC FCL
| Pack Type | Pack Weight | Qty per Container | Total Weight per FCL |
| 25kg PP Bags | 25 kg | 960 bags | ~24 MT |
| 50kg PP Bags | 50 kg | 480 bags | ~24 MT |
| 500kg Jumbo Bags | 500 kg | 24 bags | ~24 MT |
| 20ft Container | 25kg bags | 480 bags | ~12 MT |
💵 RETAIL PACKED PRODUCT PRICING (CNF GCC Port)
| SKU | Pack Size | Unit Price (FOB) | CNF (GCC Port) | Units per Carton | Price per Carton (CNF) |
| GHE-KLJ-R100 | 100g | $0.90 | $1.10 | 100 | $110.00 |
| GHE-KLJ-R200 | 200g | $1.50 | $1.80 | 50 | $90.00 |
| GHE-KLJ-R500 | 500g | $3.20 | $3.80 | 20 | $76.00 |
| GHE-KLJ-R001 | 1kg | $5.80 | $6.80 | 10 | $68.00 |
MOQ for Retail: 5,000 units per SKU (mix of 2–3 SKUs allowed) MOQ for Bulk (FCL): 1 × 20ft FCL (min 10 MT) or 1 × 40ft HC FCL (min 20 MT)
💳 PAYMENT TERMS
| Option | Terms |
| Option 1 | 30% advance + 70% against scanned BL & shipping docs |
| Option 2 | L/C at Sight (Irrevocable, Confirmed) — Preferred |
| Option 3 | 100% CAD (Cash Against Documents) — for repeat clients |
| Option 4 | DP 60–90 days (for long-term contracts with credit insurance) |
| Option 5 | Letter of Credit (Deferred) — 30/60/90 days for trusted partners |
📜 CERTIFICATIONS & COMPLIANCE (GOHER EXPORTS)
| Certification | Status | Relevance |
| ✅ Halal Certification | ✔ Available | Pakistan Halal Authority / recognized intl bodies |
| ✅ ISO 22000:2018 (FSMS) | ✔ Available | Food safety management |
| ✅ HACCP | ✔ Available | Hazard analysis & critical control |
| ✅ GMP | ✔ Available | Good Manufacturing Practices |
| ✅ Organic (EU/USDA) | ✔ Available | For organic line |
| ✅ Non-GMO | ✔ Assured | Verified |
| ✅ SGS / Eurofins / Intertek | ✔ Third-party lab reports | On request |
| ✅ Fumigation Certificate | ✔ Provided | Methyl bromide-free / Phosphine |
| ✅ Phytosanitary Certificate | ✔ Provided | Pakistan DPP (Dept of Plant Protection) |
| ✅ Certificate of Origin | ✔ Provided | For preferential duty treatment |
| ✅ BRC (British Retail Consortium) | ✔ Available | For supermarket supply |
| ✅ Kosher Certification | ✔ Available | For Jewish market segments |
🚢 INCO TERMS & EXPORT LOGISTICS
| Term | Offered | Details |
| FOB Karachi | ✅ | Loading on vessel inclusive |
| CNF / C&F (GCC Port) | ✅ | Freight included to destination port |
| CIF (GCC Port) | ✅ | Freight + Insurance included |
| DDP (Warehouse in GCC) | ✅ | On request for bulk importers |
| EXW (Factory) | ✅ | Buyer arranges all |
Preferred Ports & Transit Times to GCC
| Destination Port | Transit Time (from Karachi) | Container Freight (approx) |
| Jebel Ali, Dubai | 2–3 days | $300 – $500 |
| Dammam, KSA | 4–5 days | $400 – $600 |
| Jeddah, KSA | 5–6 days | $500 – $700 |
| Shuwaikh, Kuwait | 3–4 days | $350 – $550 |
| Hamad Port, Qatar | 3–4 days | $350 – $550 |
| Sohar, Oman | 2–3 days | $300 – $500 |
| Khalifa Bin Salman, Bahrain | 3–4 days | $350 – $550 |
🔢 MOQ SUMMARY
| Channel | Minimum Order Quantity |
| Bulk (25kg/50kg bags) | 1 × 20ft FCL = 10–12 MT |
| Bulk (Jumbo bags) | 1 × 20ft FCL = 10–12 MT |
| Retail Packed (100g–1kg) | 5,000 units per SKU (can mix 2–3 SKUs) |
| Sample Order (Pre-shipment) | 5–10 kg (air freight, chargeable) |
| Trial Container | 5 MT (LCL consolidation possible on request) |
📞 CONTACT INFORMATION
جوهير إكسبورتس — لمحة سريعة عن المنتج
| العنصر | التفاصيل |
| الاسم الشائع | حبة البركة / كلونجي |
| الاسم العلمي | Nigella sativa |
| رمز النظام المنسق (HS Code) | 0910.99.12 |
| بلد المنشأ | باكستان |
| الشكل | بذور كاملة |
| الرطوبة المستهدفة | ≤ 8% |
| التعبئة القياسية | 25 كجم / 50 كجم أكياس PP |
| الحد الأدنى للطلب (بالجملة) | حاوية 20 قدم (10-12 طن) |
| الحد الأدنى للطلب (التجزئة) | 5,000 وحدة لكل SKU |
| سعر FOB (كراتشي) | 1,800 – 2,400 دولار / طن |
| سعر CNF (موانئ الخليج) | 2,100 – 2,800 دولار / طن |
| شروط الدفع | 30% دفعة مقدمة + 70% مقابل مستندات الشحن |
| موسم الذروة للشراء | أكتوبر – فبراير |
| مدة الصلاحية | 24 شهرًا |
🌟 Why Choose GOHER EXPORTS for Nigella Seed?
✅ Direct Sourcing – From farm to port, no middlemen
✅ Premium Quality – Machine-cleaned, color-sorted, metal-detected
✅ GCC-Focused – Arabic labeling, Halal certification, Gulf-compliant specs
✅ Competitive Pricing – Best price-quality ratio in the global market
✅ Flexible Packing – Bulk to retail, private labeling available
✅ Reliable Logistics – Weekly container consolidation to all GCC ports
✅ Full Compliance – Phytosanitary, Halal, Organic, BRC, Kosher
✅ 24/7 Support – Dedicated export team fluent in Arabic, English & Urdu
📌 Note: Prices are indicative and subject to change based on market conditions, season, grade, and shipping costs. Contact GOHER EXPORTS for a real-time quotation tailored to your specific requirements.
GOHER EXPORTS — Your Trusted Partner in Premium Pakistani Spices & Herbs
جوهير إكسبورتس — شريكك الموثوق في التوابل والأعشاب الباكستانية الفاخرة
2