§1What this business is

Fenugreek seed bought from farmers is pre-cleaned, de-stoned, passed over magnets and a gravity separator, roasted to cut bitterness, ground, sifted and packed. The report notes methi powder is used as a seasoning, in pickles and vegetables, and in nutraceuticals.

Capacity: 800 kg a day on a 10-hour shift; year 1 at 30%.

§2Is it right for you?

Who it is for

Someone near a spice mandi with links to spice wholesalers or food processors.

Who it is not for

Someone without a selling network — a new spice brand takes time to build.

Advantages

  • Methi is used daily in Indian kitchens and pickles
  • A dry, simple process — clean, roast, grind, pack
  • India is the largest producer, so seed is easy to buy
  • Extra demand from health and nutraceutical products

Drawbacks

  • 18 people — a large wage bill (₹21.17 L in year 1)
  • Seed price changes with the crop
  • Many local spice brands compete
  • Only 30% capacity planned in year 1

Skills you need

  • Seed buying and grading
  • Roasting and grinding control
  • Food hygiene (FSSAI)
  • Packing and distribution

Why difficulty 2/5: Simple process; selling against established spice brands is the hard part.

§3Market

Who buys

  • Households using methi as a seasoning
  • Pickle and food makers
  • Nutraceutical and health-supplement makers

How it sells

  • Spice wholesalers and kirana shops
  • Bulk supply to food processors

Good to know

  • The report says the global fenugreek seed and product market was expected to grow at about 10% a year in 2021–2026.
  • Roasting reduces bitterness while keeping the taste, the report notes.

§4Raw material & machinery

ItemQtyCost
Vibrating pre-cleaner1₹1,50,000
De-stoner1₹1,75,000
Magnetic separator1₹1,00,000
Gravity separator1₹1,30,000
Seed roaster1₹1,05,000
Grinding machine1₹1,65,000
Sifting machine1₹2,00,000
Packaging machine1₹1,80,000
Material handling and other equipmentLS₹1,50,000

From: PMEGP sample project report — Fenugreek Powder (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)

  • Fenugreek seedfrom farmers' fields, cleaned of chaff and dust; moisture about 9%
  • Packaging materialplastic sacks and polybags

From: PMEGP sample project report — Fenugreek Powder (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)

§5Licences & registration

  1. FSSAI licence or registration
  2. Udyam registration
  3. GST registration
  4. Trade licence from the local body
  5. Legal Metrology registration for packed goods
  6. Spices Board registration (CRES) if you export

We can do this registration for you

§6Schemes & subsidies

Spice processing fits PMFME and PMEGP; at ₹20.19 L it is just above the MUDRA limit, so use CGTMSE or Stand-Up India for the loan.

§7Money

How the investment is worked out: Plant & machinery ₹13.55 L + furniture ₹1.00 L + working capital ₹5.64 L = ₹20.19 L; land own or rented. Finance: term loan ₹13.10 L, own ₹2.02 L, working-capital loan ₹5.08 L.

Working capital: Working capital ₹5.64 L (bank ₹5.08 L); stock for 15 days, 14 days' credit to buyers, 15 days from suppliers.

Year not printed on the report — check current machinery prices.

How to prepare a loan file

§8Export potential

Confirm the HS code in the DGFT ITC(HS) lookup before you export

0910.99Other spices (fenugreek falls here)

Export council / board: Spices Board India

  • HS codes are from the WCO HS 2022 list; confirm the 8-digit ITC(HS) line with DGFT or your customs broker.
  • You need an Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT before the first shipment.

§9Risks — where people fail

  • Crop price swings
  • Moisture and pests in storage
  • Quality or adulteration complaints
  • Price competition

§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan

A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.

  1. Days 1–30: Visit a working fenugreek (methi) powder unit unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
  2. Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (FSSAI licence or registration, Udyam registration), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
  3. Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.

§11Who to connect with

Not verified yet

Associations, clusters and training institutes — the directory is being built. Connect

§12Watch

There is no episode on this business yet. Shows are coming soon on the Podcast page.

Want to start Fenugreek (Methi) Powder Unit?

DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.

Get a DPR / loan file made

Sources

  1. PMEGP sample project report — Fenugreek Powder (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)

Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.