World SeedFenugreek, Methi (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
Fenugreek is grown in Pakistan as a winter legume for spice-grade and sowing-grade seed, for the leaf vegetable methi, and increasingly for sprouting and galactomannan extraction. Bold, machine-clean seed with 85 % germination serves both the spice and the sowing trade. Agronomy, standards and regions are below.
Botanical identity and type
Botanical name: Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Fabaceae.
Origin / type: Bold-seeded Pakistani landrace types from Sindh and Punjab; sown as a cool-season crop.
Crop type: Annual cool-season legume grown for spice seed, sprouting, leaf vegetable and extract.
Fenugreek is a 40–60 cm annual legume sown in autumn when temperatures fall below 30 °C. Grown for seed it matures in 120–150 days with pods holding 10–20 hard, yellow-brown rhomboid seeds of 3–5 mm. Grown for leaf it is cut at 30–40 days and again two or three times. Seed contains 23–26 % protein, 20–25 % galactomannan gum, 6–8 % oil and the saponin diosgenin at 0.5–1.5 %, which is the basis of its use in extracts and feed supplements. Its bitterness comes from sotolon and alkaloids that reduce on roasting.
Two grades are exported. Bold spice grade is cleaned to 99 % purity and 10 % moisture and optically sorted to remove dark and immature seed. Sowing grade adds an ISTA germination test at 85 % minimum and is not fumigated with methyl bromide, which reduces viability. Sprouting buyers in Europe require the microbiological limits set out in the sprouting seed standards guide, and the crop is grown under contract on fields with no manure application for that market.
Fenugreek fits the winter rotation with berseem and is sown in the same window; as a spice it sits alongside cumin and nigella in the Pakistani export range. The export calendar shows its March–April harvest.
Agronomy at a glance
Figures are typical ranges under good management; local trials should confirm rates for a specific site. Use the sowing rate tables to convert kg/ha to per-acre, per-feddan or per-jerib rates.
| Parameter | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Sowing rate | 20–25 kg/ha for seed; 25–30 kg/ha for leaf (typical) |
| Sowing depth | 2–3 cm |
| Row spacing | 20–30 cm rows; broadcast for leaf |
| Days to harvest | 120–150 days for seed; 30–40 days for first leaf cut |
| Cuts / harvests | 1 seed harvest; 2–3 leaf cuts |
| Yield, seed | 1.2–2.0 t/ha (typical) |
| Yield, green leaf | 8–12 t/ha over 2–3 cuts |
| Protein / gum | 23–26 % protein; 20–25 % galactomannan |
| Soil pH | 6.0–8.0 |
| Water need | 300–450 mm; 3–4 irrigations |
| Temperature | Optimum 15–28 °C; tolerates light frost; heat above 32 °C shortens pod fill |
| Salinity tolerance | Moderate: threshold ECe ~3–4 dS/m |
| Seeds per kg | 60,000–70,000 |
Export seed standards
Standards below are those written on the ISTA-format test report issued with each export lot. See how purity and germination standards work and how to read the report.
| Parameter | Export standard | Method / note |
|---|---|---|
| Pure seed (purity) | 99.0 % min | ISTA purity analysis on a 4-component working sample |
| Germination | 85 % min (sowing grade); n/a for spice grade | ISTA between-paper or sand test, 4 x 100 seeds, normal seedlings |
| Moisture | 10 % max | ISTA oven method (low-constant temperature, 103 °C, 17 h) |
| Inert matter | 1.0 % max | Chaff, soil, broken pieces smaller than half seed |
| Other crop seed | 0.5 % max | Seeds of any other cultivated species |
| Weed seed | 0.1 % max | By number and identity on the report |
| Dark / immature seed | 1 % max | Optical sorting |
| Fumigation | Phosphine only for sowing grade | Methyl bromide reduces germination |
Where it is grown
Fenugreek is sown in October–November in Sindh (Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Nawabshah) and Punjab (Multan, Khanewal, Faisalabad) and harvested in March–April. New-crop seed is cleaned and available from April.
Importing markets: China, Germany, France, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Russia. China and the EU buy spice and extract grade; Germany, the Netherlands and Poland sprouting grade; Australia and the United States both spice and sowing seed; Russia for feed and spice.
Buying notes
Fenugreek (Methi) Seed is exported by Kohenoor International from Karachi and Port Qasim under HS 0910.99. Standard pack is 25 kg / 50 kg; minimum order 1 x 20ft. Harvest March–April; new-crop lots available from April. Every shipment carries a phytosanitary certificate (Department of Plant Protection, Pakistan), a certificate of origin, an ISTA-format purity and germination report, packing list and invoice; fumigation certificate and COA on request.
Pricing, samples and shipment planning are handled on the specialist product site: herbnseed.com. For loading weights see the container capacity table; for destination paperwork see phytosanitary requirements by destination.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| HS code | 0910.99 |
| Pack | 25 kg / 50 kg |
| Minimum order | 1 x 20ft |
| Purity / germination on report | 99% min / 85% min (sowing grade) |
| Shipping terms | FOB or CIF Karachi / Port Qasim |
| Specialist site | herbnseed.com |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between spice-grade and sowing-grade fenugreek?
Both are cleaned to 99 % purity. Sowing grade carries an ISTA germination test (85 % minimum) and is fumigated only with phosphine, never methyl bromide, which kills the embryo. Spice grade is not germination-tested and can be treated by either method.
Can fenugreek seed be used for sprouting?
Yes, and it is one of the most popular sprouting seeds in Europe. Sprouting lots must meet microbiological limits (Salmonella absent in 25 g, STEC absent, E. coli under 1,000 cfu/g) and are grown under a no-manure contract.
How much galactomannan does fenugreek contain?
20–25 % of seed weight, compared with 28–35 % in guar. Fenugreek gum is used in food and pharmaceutical applications where its bitterness is removed by processing.
When is fenugreek harvested in Pakistan?
Sown in October–November and harvested in March–April, about six weeks earlier than the Indian Rajasthan crop, so Pakistani new-crop seed is usually the first available each year.
What is the HS code for fenugreek seed?
HS 0910.99 (other spices) for spice-grade seed as exported from Pakistan. Some importers classify sowing-grade seed under HS 1209.91 or 1209.99; check with the destination customs broker.
Need Fenugreek (Methi) Seed seed?
The knowledge base is maintained by Kohenoor International's agronomy team. Quotes for Fenugreek (Methi) Seed are handled by the export desk and the specialist site linked in the buying notes.
export@kohenoorint.com · +92 310 4929292 · Reply within 24 hours