The main groundnut crop in Saurashtra is the kharif crop. It is sown when the monsoon arrives, usually June or July, and harvested roughly September to November, with market arrivals strongest in October and November in a typical year.
A smaller summer crop is grown on irrigated land. It is usually sown early in the year and harvested around May and June. Exact timing varies by district, variety and season, so confirm the current year with your supplier.
The season step by step
- June to July: sowing after the first good monsoon rains.
- July to September: growth and pod filling. Rain during this period largely decides yield.
- September to November: harvest. Plants are lifted, left to dry in the field, then threshed to separate pods.
- October to December: peak arrivals of pods at APMC markets such as Rajkot and Gondal.
- November onwards: new-crop HPS kernels become widely available for export as shelling units run at full capacity.
- May to June: summer crop arrives, adding some supply before the next sowing.
How the weather shapes the crop
Groundnut in Saurashtra is mostly rain-fed, so the monsoon is the single biggest factor. A late or weak monsoon reduces area and yield. A dry spell during pod filling can lead to small kernels and raise aflatoxin risk. Heavy rain at harvest can leave pods damp in the field, which causes mould and discolouration.
These effects show up in the counts on offer, the defect levels and the price. The wider link between weather and prices is covered in how weather and monsoon affect Indian crop prices.
What this means for buying
Most buyers plan around the new kharif crop. Prices for the coming year often start to form once sowing figures and early monsoon reports are known, and firm up as arrivals begin. Government procurement at the minimum support price and domestic oil demand also affect the market.
Old-crop stock is usually thinner and older by the summer months. If you need supply through the year, consider booking part of your needs on new-crop arrivals and agreeing a shipment schedule. The approach is described in what forward or seasonal price booking is.
Remember that many Gujarat markets close for several days around Diwali, which falls in October or November. Allow for this in your shipment dates.
Early new-crop kernels can carry higher moisture. Ask for a moisture result on every lot shipped in the first weeks of the season, and do not accept kernels that have not been dried to your limit.
How we help
We follow arrivals and quality at Saurashtra markets through the season and tell you when new-crop kernels are ready to sample. We can then help you book prices and shipment slots with an audited processor. To plan your next season, ask for a free sourcing review.