Safflower (Kusum) Price Today in India - कुसुम का आज का भाव

The current wholesale (modal) price of Safflower (Kusum) (कुसुम) in India is ₹5,756 per quintal, down ₹40 from yesterday. Prices today range from a minimum of ₹4,900 to a maximum of ₹6,400 per quintal depending on the mandi, grade and quality of produce. The state-wise Safflower (Kusum) rate table above is updated daily, and the LIVE arrivals section shows real Agmarknet transactions where available.

Safflower (Kusum) is grown mainly in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh. It is a oilseed crop with a Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Feb-Mar) season - Rabi (Sow: Oct-Nov, Harvest: Feb-Mar).

Safflower is a dual-purpose oilseed with both a high-oleic oil (better for frying than sunflower oil) and a dye industry using the red and yellow petals for natural fabric colouring. Maharashtra is the dominant producer but cultivation is declining as imported oils undercut it; the crop survives primarily due to MSP procurement.

Safflower (Kusum) MSP Rabi 2026-27 - ₹6,540/Quintal

The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Safflower (Kusum) is ₹6,540 per quintal for Rabi 2026-27, announced by the Government of India on the recommendation of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). MSP is the floor price - government procurement agencies are obligated to buy at this rate, so you should never sell your safflower (kusum) below ₹6,540/quintal. Today's market price of ₹5,756 is below MSP - consider selling to a government procurement centre at ₹6,540 instead of the open market. See the full Safflower (Kusum) MSP tracker with the year-on-year change and free alerts.

Why Safflower (Kusum) Prices Change

  • Seasonal arrivals: Prices fall when fresh harvest floods the mandi (peak arrival) and recover in the off-season. Knowing the safflower (kusum) harvest window helps you time sales.
  • Weather: Drought, floods, frost or unseasonal rain damage the crop and cut supply, pushing prices up; a bumper harvest pushes them down.
  • Government policy: MSP sets a price floor; export bans/permissions, buffer-stock release and import duty all move prices.
  • Demand: Festivals, processing-industry demand and export orders raise prices.
  • Grade & quality: Clean, dry, well-graded produce always fetches a premium over mixed lots.

How to Get the Best Price for Your Safflower (Kusum)

💡 Top tip: Register on eNAM (National Agriculture Market) to sell your safflower (kusum) directly to buyers across India - farmers typically get 10-15% better prices than the local mandi.
  1. Compare mandis: Check the state-wise rates above and visit 2-3 nearby mandis before selling - same-day rates can differ ₹100-500/quintal.
  2. Grade and clean your safflower (kusum) - graded produce fetches 15-20% higher bids.
  3. Time the market: Avoid selling at peak-arrival when prices bottom out. Use a warehouse and a Kisan Credit Card loan to store and sell in the lean season.
  4. Use government procurement at MSP (₹6,540) if the market price falls below it.

Popular Safflower (Kusum) Varieties in India

  • PBNS-12 (Maharashtra spineless)
  • A-1 (Andhra Pradesh)
  • HUS-305 (Karnataka)
  • K-1 (Rajasthan)
  • CO-1 (Tamil Nadu)

Safflower (Kusum) Uses & End Markets

  • Safflower oil for cooking and salad oil
  • Natural dye (keshar substitute) from petals
  • Safflower tea and herbal health products
  • Carthamin natural food colourant for export
  • Safflower cake for cattle and poultry feed

Grow Better Safflower (Kusum) - Inputs & Guidance

Higher quality means a higher price. For the best safflower (kusum) crop: choose a high-yield certified seed variety, base fertilizer on a soil health card, follow the right pest-control schedule, and irrigate efficiently with a subsidised drip system. See the crop calendar for the ideal sowing window.