0. Executive Summary
Judgment axis | Key judgment |
| Item Identity | Cumin is a spice crop utilizing the dried fruit of Cuminum cyminum L. of the Apiaceae family, and the name "cumin seed" is widely used in international trade. Codex CXS 327-2017 defines the product as the dried fruits of C. cyminum. ( FAOHome ) |
| Key role | Whole cumin and ground/powdered cumin are used as food ingredients for spices, seasonings, sauces, meat processing, HMR, and the food service industry, while cumin seed oil is managed as a separately processed product. ISO 9301:2003 is an international standard regarding the quality characteristics of cumin seed oil. ( ISO ) |
| Harvesting principle | Management is structured so that harvesting, drying, threshing, and sorting occur after the fruit has fully matured. Specific harvest moisture and drying temperatures are entered after verifying official technical data from the production area or Buyer Spec. |
| Product separation | Separate into Harvested Fruit → Dried Whole Cumin → Cleaned/Graded Cumin → Crushed/Ground Cumin → Powder → Oil/Extract. |
| Separation of similar items | Cumin, caraway, fennel, coriander, and the "black cumin" family of commercial names are each managed as separate Plant/Product Entities. Cumin and caraway are also distinguished in the Harmonized System (HS). ( EUR-Lex ) |
| Domestic statistics | As official figures for the independent cultivation area and production volume of cumin in South Korea, according to national approved statistics, were not verified in this v1.0 version, they will be entered later after verification of the official raw data . |
| Supply and demand risk | The key factors are dependence on overseas production areas, fluctuations in weather and yields, drying, foreign matter, mold, pesticide residues, and microorganisms, variations in aroma and essential oil components, international prices, exchange rates, logistics, and the incorporation of similar spices. |
| Operating Principles | Species-Cultivar-Farm-Harvest Lot-Drying/Cleaning-Whole/Ground/Oil Lot-Certificate-Buyer Connect RFQ. |
| Final goal | It is the establishment of recurring supply chain intelligence that connects Plant Identity, Origin, Crop Year, Quality, Processing Method, and Buyer Spec, rather than simple spice information. |
Codex CXS 327-2017 applies to cumin supplied for direct consumption, as a raw material for food processing, and for repackaging. ISO 6465:2009 also provides quality requirements and recommendations regarding storage and transport for Cuminum cyminum fruits. ( FAO Home )
1. Plant Identity & Product Master
Basic fields | detail |
| Korean name | cumin |
| English name | Cumin |
| Representative scientific name | Cuminum cyminum L. |
| classification | Apiaceae → Cuminum → C. cyminum |
| Edible parts | Dried fruit according to food standards, commercially referred to as cumin seed |
| Non-edible · Separate management | Stems, leaves, roots, trimming residues, etc. are separated from the spice cumin product. |
| Major harvesting stages | The stage where fruits and seeds are mature |
| Basic product form | Whole Dried Cumin·Cleaned Cumin·Ground Cumin·Powder·Oil·Extract |
| Basic processing stage | Harvesting → Drying → Threshing → Sorting → Selection → Grinding or Distillation/Extraction |
| Basic use | Spices, Seasonings, Meat Processing, Sauces, HMR, Food Service, Food Manufacturing |
| Similarity Principle | Caraway, fennel, coriander, and black cumin are separated from commercially named items. |
Kew manages Cuminum cyminum L. as a currently accepted species. Since Cuminum sativum J.Sm. is currently a synonym of C. cyminum, it is linked to the Legacy/Synonym field rather than as a separate Plant Entity. ( Plants of the World Online )
Product Master
Product | Product stage | Key Management Standards |
| Cumin Plant/Field Lot | production stage | Scientific name, variety, origin, cultivation area, sowing date |
| Mature Cumin Fruit Lot | Before harvest | Maturity, Pests and Diseases, Expected Harvest |
| Raw Harvested Cumin | raw materials | Harvest date, origin, moisture, foreign matter |
| Dried Whole Cumin | Basic ingredients | Origin · Crop Year · Moisture · Appearance · Scent |
| Cleaned Cumin | Selected | Foreign matter, damaged grains, seeds from other plants, uniformity |
| Graded Cumin | Standard parts | Size · Color · Quality · Buyer Grade |
| Whole Culinary Cumin | food ingredients | Codex/ISO · Pesticide Residues · Microorganisms · Packaging |
| Crushed Cumin | shredded | Raw Material Lot · Crushing Degree · Flavor |
| Ground Cumin | Crushed product | Raw Material Lot · Particle Size · Flavor · Microorganisms |
| Cumin Powder | B2B powder | Raw material purity, particle size, color, aroma |
| Cumin Seed Oil | distilled products | Raw Material Lot, Process, and Quality Characteristics |
| Cumin Extract | Extracted processed products | Raw Materials · Solvents · Concentration · Batch |
| Spice Blend | Blended ingredients | Cumin Ratio · Other Spices · Formula |
| Buyer-specific Ingredient | specific uses | Particle Size · Scent Profile · Safety · Delivery Time |
2. Product Classification & Use Segmentation
Classification criteria | Subdivision type | Management principles |
| Plant classification | Cuminum cyminum L. | Separated from other species |
| varieties | Cultivation Cultivar | Proof of supplier/seed source |
| Edible parts | Dried Fruit | Separation of Trade Alias “Seed” and Botanical Field |
| Harvesting stage | Immature, ripe, overripe | Connected to quality, shattering, and drying |
| Cultivation method | Open fields by region and season, etc. | Actual records by production area |
| origin | Country → Region → Farm | Traceability |
| Harvest year | Crop Year | Quality and Inventory Management |
| Distribution methods | Raw · Dried · Cleaned · Graded | Separate Product ID |
| Processing form | Whole·Crushed·Ground·Powder·Oil | Independent Product |
| Final use | Seasonings, processed meat, sauces, HMR, confectionery, beverages, etc. | Separation by Application |
| Transaction type | Spot · Regular Supply · Contract Farming · OEM | RFQ connection |
| certification | Organic, Food Safety, Others | Verification of original certificate text |
3. Production, Harvest & Post-harvest
step | Essential Dataset | Management purpose |
| Cultivation plan | Variety · Origin · Area · Buyer · Target Yield | Production plan |
| satellite | Seed Source · Variety · Seed Lot | Plant Identity |
| sowing | Sowing date, sowing quantity, planting | Production history |
| germination | Appearance date and germination rate | Growth confirmation |
| Growth management | Plant height, branching, and growth stage | Production forecast |
| rising | Temperature, rainfall, humidity, and solar radiation | Production Risk |
| Watering | Timing, Water Source, Supply Amount | Moisture management |
| dispute | Materials, timing, and usage | Quantity and quality |
| pests | Occurrence, Control, and Chemicals | Losses and pesticide residues |
| flowering | Flowering date and uniformity | Fruit prediction |
| Fruit formation | Fruit set and maturity | Production volume forecast |
| Harvest judgment | Fruit ripening, risk of shattering, weather | Harvesting at the right time |
| harvest | Date, Section, Weight | Harvest Lot |
| dry | Method, time, moisture | Zhejiang Province |
| threshing grain | Process, Yield, Loss | Fruit Lot |
| Jeongseon | Removal of soil, stems, and other seeds | water |
| Selection | Damage, Color, Size | Grade |
| save | Temperature, humidity, period, and inventory | Quality maintenance |
| packaging | Packaging Material · Weight · Lot | B2B shipment |
| shipment | Buyer · Date · Quantity | Transaction tracking |
| smash | Particle Size · Batch | Ground Product |
| distillation | Raw Material Lot · Process | Cumin Oil |
| extraction | Solvent · Concentration · Batch | Extract |
| combination | Formula · Ratio | Spice Blend |
4. Quality Specification & Lot Management
Quality items | Raw/Dried Whole | Cleaned/Graded | Ground/Powder | Oil Extract | finished product | Public rating |
| scientific name | essential | essential | succession | succession | tracking | Public/Verified |
| plant parts | Dried fruit | identification | Raw material inheritance | Raw material inheritance | tracking | Public/Verified |
| mountainous district | essential | essential | succession | succession | tracking | Public/Verified |
| Cultivation method | record | succession | succession | succession | If necessary | Member |
| varieties | record | succession | succession | succession | If necessary | Verified |
| farmhouse | essential | essential | Raw material connection | Raw material connection | tracking | Verified |
| Lot | essential | essential | essential | essential | essential | Verified/NDA |
| Harvest day | essential | succession | succession | succession | tracking | Verified |
| Harvest year | essential | essential | essential | essential | tracking | Public/Verified |
| appearance | Color and wholesomeness | uniformity | Raw material inheritance | By product | QC | Member |
| weight | essential | Packaging weight | Packaging weight | Packaging weight | By product | NDA |
| size | Negligence standards | Grade | Island | — | By product | Member |
| rating | raw materials | Transaction rating | Product specifications | Product specifications | QC | Member |
| impairment | check | core | Raw material inspection | — | QC | Verified |
| Other plant seeds | check | core | Check raw material stage | Raw material verification | — | Verified |
| alien substance | core | core | core | core | core | Verified |
| Mold and decay | check | core | test | Raw material verification | Safety Management | Verified |
| moisture | Storage Core | core | By product | By product | By product | Verified |
| Aroma and flavor | On-site evaluation | core | core | core | Sensory evaluation | Member/Verified |
| Refining characteristics | If necessary | analyzable | analyzable | core | tracking | Verified/NDA |
| pesticide residues | Cultivation history | test | Raw material inheritance/inspection | Raw material verification | Conformity to standards | Verified/NDA |
| microorganism | If necessary | test | core | By product | Conformity to standards | Verified/NDA |
| Drying history | essential | succession | succession | succession | tracking | Verified |
| Jeongseon History | — | essential | succession | succession | tracking | Verified |
| Grinding history | — | — | essential | — | succession | Verified/NDA |
| Distillation and extraction | — | — | — | essential | succession | NDA |
| packaging | essential | essential | essential | essential | essential | Member/Verified |
| save | essential | essential | essential | By product | By product | Verified |
| Consumption/Preservation Period | Supplier specifications | Supplier specifications | By product | By product | essential | Verified |
| Shipment | essential | essential | essential | essential | essential | Verified |
| Returns | record | record | record | record | record | NDA |
| Claim | record | record | record | record | record | NDA |
| Repurchase | Buyer Connection | Buyer Connection | Buyer Connection | Buyer Connection | Buyer Connection | NDA |
5. Korea Market & Demand Structure
Customers | Purchase criteria | Cooperation opportunities |
| domestic production farms | Variety, suitability for cultivation, and contract demand | Trial and contract farming |
| Mountain production organization | Joint drying, sorting, and standardization | Joint shipment |
| Spices import and distribution company | Origin·Crop Year·Whole/Ground·Fragrance | Global Supplier RFQ |
| spice processor | Purity, particle size, moisture, microorganisms | Powder processing |
| Food manufacturer | Flavor, safety, price, and supply stability | B2B Ingredient |
| meat processing company | Fragrance Profile, Particle Size, Dispersibility | Seasoning |
| sauce manufacturer | Fragrance, Blending, and Uniformity | Sauce Ingredient |
| HMR · Meal Kit | Standard spice ingredients and small packages | Spice Blend |
| food service companies | Whole/Ground · Delivery Cycle | Regular supply |
| school meals | Safety, Labeling, and Standards | Processed spice ingredients |
| Confectionery and Bakery | Scent and Grain Size | Product Application |
| Beverage and tea manufacturing | Fragrance/Extractability | Blend/Extract |
| Distribution/Online | Origin, Packaging, Labeling | Retail |
| PB | OEM·Formula·MOQ | Private Label |
| exporters | Destination Country Safety Standards and Labeling | K-Food |
| Research and technology institutions | Cultivation, Quality, Flavor, Storage, Processing | R&D |
6. Trade & Supply-chain Intelligence
step | Key variables | Operational judgment |
| Production in the producing area | Country, region, variety, weather | Origin Risk |
| Contract farming and procurement | Estimated Quantity · Quality · Crop Year | Securing a Supplier |
| harvest | Maturity, weather, and harvest date | Raw Lot |
| Drying and threshing | Moisture loss | commercialization |
| Selection | Foreign matter, other seeds, Grade | B2B standards |
| Mountain storage | Packaging, temperature and humidity, and duration | Quality stability |
| export | Supplier · Lot · Country of Origin | Trade Traceability |
| International shipping | Period, Packaging, Environment | Delivery time and quality |
| Import customs clearance | HS · Origin · Inspection | Domestic regulations |
| Domestic storage | Inventory · Lot · Turnover | Supply stability |
| smash | Whole→Ground | Processing Lot |
| Distillation and extraction | Raw Materials · Batch | Oil/Extract |
| food processing | Formula · Application | finished product |
| delivery | Buyer Spec · Delivery Date | RFQ implementation |
| Repurchase | Quality, Price, Claims | Supplier Score |
Trade Dataset
item | v1.0 processing |
| Cumin Whole HS | International Classification 0909 31 Confirm ( EUR-Lex ) |
| Cumin Crushed/Ground HS | International Classification 0909 32 Confirm ( EUR-Lex ) |
| Korea HS-K | Subsequent verification of official detailed codes by the Korea Customs Service |
| Domestic import volume | Input after official verification of raw data |
| Domestic import value | Input after official verification of raw data |
| Major countries of origin | Input after verifying raw data by country with the Korea Customs Service. |
| Export volume and value | Further verification |
| Customs clearance unit price | Calculate after matching quantity and amount units by Whole/Ground |
| Cumin Oil | HS verification separate from the raw material |
| Extract | HS Verification by Product Composition and Processing Form |
| FTA | Verification by Country, HS, and Rule of Origin |
| Quarantine | Verification by status of dried fruit and processed products for seeds and food use |
| Food inspection | Check current MFDS standards by product type and country of origin |
7. Processing, By-products & PRP Intelligence
Products and processes | Key conditions | RFQ conversion |
| Harvested Cumin Fruit | Maturity · Crop Year · Origin | Source Procurement RFQ |
| Dried Whole Cumin | Moisture, scent, and soundness | Whole Spice RFQ |
| Cleaned Cumin | Foreign matter/purity | Food Manufacturer |
| Graded Cumin | Size, color, and uniformity | Premium/B2B |
| Crushed Cumin | Crushing degree · Scent | Seasoning |
| Ground Cumin | Particle size, scent, microorganisms | HMR · Sauces · Processed Meat |
| Cumin Powder | Raw material purity and particle size | B2B Ingredient |
| Cumin Seed Oil | Raw Material Lot, Distillation, and Quality Characteristics | Verification of flavor/food-related uses |
| Cumin Extract | Raw materials, solvents, and concentration | Ingredient RFQ |
| Spice Blend | Formula · Cumin Ratio | HMR · Food Service · Meat Processing |
| Screenings | Damage, foreign matter | Reprocessing/Disposal Decision |
| Non-commercial items | Damage, mold, and contamination | Verification of whether food conversion is prohibited |
| Cultivation residue | Stem · Other | Review of compost and agricultural return |
| distillation residue | Processing by-products | Utilization after legal and safety verification |
ISO 9301:2003 supports quality assessment by defining specific quality characteristics of Cumin cyminum seed oil. Therefore, Whole/Ground Cumin and Cumin Oil are independent entities with different Standard and Product Profiles. ( ISO )
To convert by-products into food, feed, functional, cosmetic, or pharmaceutical materials, domestic raw material recognition and compliance with safety and usage-specific regulations must be verified separately.
PRP — Product Research Profile
Cumin PRP operates with the following structure.
Species Identity → Cultivar → Origin → Crop Year → Harvest Maturity → Drying/Threshing → Purity/Foreign Matter → Aroma Profile → Whole/Ground Quality → Storage Stability → Grinding/Distillation/Extraction → Application Test → Buyer Specification → RFQ Performance
8. AX Transformation
first of all | Execution item | Performance indicators |
| 1 | Scientific Name, Origin, Crop Year, Harvest Date, Lot required values | Essential Field Completion Rate |
| 2 | Separation of Whole·Crushed·Ground·Powder·Oil Product | Product identification rate |
| 3 | Linking weather, growth, flowering, fruiting, and harvest data | Field–Lot Connection Rate |
| 4 | Data conversion of drying, threshing, sorting, and storage history | Post-harvest record rate |
| 5 | Quality, Pesticide Residues, Microorganisms, and Test Report Linkage | COA–Lot connection rate |
| 6 | Video AI foreign object, non-traditional seeds, damage, and color screening | Selection accuracy |
| 7 | Cumin – AI identification aid for similar spice seeds | Misclassification rate |
| 8 | Production volume and optimal harvest time forecast | Prediction error |
| 9 | Prediction of storage quality and flavor loss | Quality loss rate |
| 10 | Prediction of grinding and oil processing yields | Processing yield error |
| 11 | Product–Buyer AI Match | RFQ → Sample Conversion Rate |
| 12 | Buyer Rating, Claims, and Repurchase Runtime Connection | Repurchase rate |
9. Industry Problem Bank
Problem group | Problem Definition | Required data |
| Confusion over Plant Part terminology | Botanically it is a fruit, but it is referred to as a seed in the market. | Botanical/Trade Alias |
| Caraway blend | Products that are similar in appearance and name but are different | Species·HS |
| Black cumin blend | Other plants in the same common name family can be traded. | Scientific Name |
| Fennel and coriander infusion | Similarity in appearance of Apiaceae spice seeds | Video · Species |
| Variation by variety and origin | Differences in scent, size, color, and quality | Cultivar·Origin |
| weather risk | Effects on flowering, fruiting, and yield | Climate and Yield |
| pests | Impact on quantity, quality, and pesticide residues | Occurrence and Control |
| Variation in harvest time | Immaturity, shattering, and quality loss | Maturity·Harvest |
| Drying deviation | Changes in shelf life, mold, and aroma | Drying Dataset |
| Foreign matter contamination | Soil, stems, other seeds, etc. | Purity Test |
| mold and microorganisms | Food safety during storage and grinding stages | Test Report |
| pesticide residues | Management differences by country and mountain region | Spray Record·COA |
| Changes in pollutant regulations | Increased inspections by country of origin may occur | Regulation Runtime |
| Scent Profile Deviation | Differences by Crop, Origin, and Storage | Sensory·Oil Profile |
| Whole–Powder tracking disconnected | Weakening of raw material verification after grinding | Lot Genealogy |
| dependence on imports | Shock to overseas production and logistics | Country · Supplier · Inventory |
| International prices and exchange rates | Fluctuation in domestic processing costs | Customs Clearance Price · FX |
| Buyer Spec Discrepancy | Differences in particle size and aroma by processed meat, sauce, and HMR | RFQ Spec |
| Repurchase not reflected | Usability and Disconnection from Next Procurement | Buyer Evaluation |
10. Farmer RFQ & Collaboration Model
RFQ Type | Public Registration | Verify/NDA |
| Domestic raw material procurement from production areas | Variety · Region · Expected Harvest | Farms, Area, Quantity, Unit Price |
| Whole Cumin for Sale | Origin · Crop Year · General Grade | Stock · Lot · Price · COA |
| Buy Whole Cumin | Origin · Use · General Spec | Target Quantity/Unit Price |
| Ground Cumin | Particle size and uses | Raw Material Lot · MOQ · Price |
| Cumin Powder | Product Type · General Specifications | Process/Test Report |
| Regular supply | General Spec/Period | Monthly volume and price |
| contract farming | Variety, Region, Use | Producer, Area, Purchase Conditions |
| Spices processing | Whole→Ground | Yield and processing costs |
| Cumin Oil | Raw Material Scientific Name · Product Type | Ingredients, Process, Price |
| Extract | Product Type · Application | Solvent, Concentration, COA |
| Spice Blend | General composition and use | Formula · Unit Price |
| meat processing | Scent, particle size, and safety | Actual Recipe · Delivery Time |
| Dining Out & School Meals | Ground/Blend | Unit price/period |
| HMR · Meal Kit | Standard Spice Blend | MOQ · Formula |
| OEM·PB | Product concept | Recipe · Cost · Contract |
| export | Product · Destination Country | HS·Price·Regulation |
| Technology demonstration | Cultivation · Selection · Traceability | raw data |
| Research cooperation | Variety, Aroma, Storage, Processing | IP · Exam materials |
11. RFQ Request First
① Need Products & Materials
Companies and institutions seeking necessary products, agricultural products, raw materials, and processed goods register purchasing demands. Registered requests are utilized to review cooperation with potential suppliers and producers based on the RFQ Intelligence Library.
Process:
RFQ Registration → Supplier/Product Review → Collaboration Connection → Future AI Matching
Register
② We are looking for production and manufacturing partners. (Need Suppliers & Manufacturers)
Register a request to find necessary production and supply partners, ranging from farms and producer organizations to processing companies, OEM, ODM, and private label manufacturers.
Process:
RFQ Registration → Review of Production & Manufacturing Capabilities → Collaboration Connection → Future AI Partner Matching
Register
③ We are looking for domestic and international buyers. (Need Buyers)
Farmers, producer organizations, and manufacturing companies are requesting cooperation with new buyers, such as domestic and international distributors, importers, brand companies, and food service and catering businesses.
Process:
RFQ Registration → Product & Supply Capability Review → Market & Buyer Connection → Future AI Buyer Matching
Register
Contact : mail@markethub.org
Version History
Version | Main contents | situation |
| v1.0 | Plant Identity · Botanical Fruit/Trade Seed Isolation · Product · Codex/ISO · RFQ Basic Structure Registration | complete |
| v1.1 | Verification of official domestic and global production, market, and HS import/export raw data | expected |
| v2.0 | Quality, processing specifications, and PRP segmentation by Whole, Crushed/Ground, Powder, Oil, and Extract | expected |
| v3.0 | Combines Producers/Global Suppliers – Import/Processing Companies – Meat Processing/HMR/Food Buyers – Verified Container | expected |
