Why Irish Importers Choose Pakistani Fenugreek Seed
Irish importers clear food through the Department of Agriculture and FSAI-supervised border control posts at Dublin Port and Cork, and the equine-feed sector works to UFAS/FEMAS and BETA NOPS standards. Importers in Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Limerick and Galway work with Kohenoor International because:
- EU-MRL and ETO tested per lot — Each lot is tested against Regulation (EC) 396/2005 maximum residue levels and for ethylene oxide before loading, with the accredited report sent ahead of the vessel for your quality team and the border control post.
- Not on the increased-control list — Pakistani single-spice fenugreek is not listed under Regulation (EU) 2019/1793, so consignments clear Dublin Port or Cork under standard official controls.
- Equine-feed grade with NOPS awareness — Regular grade in 1 MT big bags at feed pricing, with a Certificate of Analysis per lot and supplier documentation for UFAS/FEMAS approval and BETA NOPS risk assessment for racing-feed manufacturers.
- Bold golden methi for spice packers and grocers — Even-grinding bold seed for curry blends supplied to Dunnes, Tesco Ireland and SuperValu and whole methi for the Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi grocers of Dublin and Cork.
- Dairy calf-feed volume — Feed-grade seed for the calf milk-replacer and starter-feed makers serving Ireland’s grass-based dairy sector.
- Post-Brexit direct routing — Direct EU-to-EU clearance on arrival in Ireland — no UK land-bridge customs formalities — with English-language documents ready for your customs agent.
The Irish Fenugreek Market: Equine Feed, Spices, Dairy and Health Food
Ireland’s equine industry — thoroughbred breeding, racing, sport horses and leisure — supports a large horse-feed and supplement manufacturing sector in Kildare, Meath, Cork and Tipperary, and fenugreek is the classic palatability ingredient in muesli, cubes, balancers and supplements. These manufacturers buy regular grade in big bags and need NOPS-aware supplier documentation. The dairy sector, the largest in the country, uses fenugreek in calf milk replacers and starter feeds.
On the food side, Ireland’s Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities have grown rapidly, and Dublin and Cork have dozens of South Asian grocers and hundreds of Indian restaurants buying whole methi; spice packers list fenugreek in curry blends for Dunnes, Tesco and SuperValu, and health-food shops and pharmacies sell fenugreek seed and capsules for lactation and blood sugar. Since Brexit, Irish importers prefer direct sea routes and EU-origin clearance rather than UK land-bridge supply; a direct container from Karachi with a documented second origin fits that need.
Who Buys Pakistani Fenugreek in Ireland
Equine Feed & Supplement Manufacturers
Kildare, Meath, Cork, Tipperary
Feed-grade price, palatability, NOPS-aware
Horse muesli, cube, balancer and supplement producers using fenugreek as a palatant.
Recommended: Regular grade, 1 MT big bags, FCL
Calf Feed & Milk Replacer Makers
Cork, Limerick, Cavan
Feed-grade, aroma
Dairy calf-feed manufacturers using fenugreek as a palatant.
Recommended: Regular grade, big bags
Spice Packers
Dublin, Cork
Even grind, bold golden seed
Producers of curry blends for Dunnes, Tesco and SuperValu.
Recommended: Bold grade, 25 kg paper bags
South Asian Wholesalers
Dublin, Cork, Limerick
Retail-ready packs
Distributors to Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi grocers and restaurants.
Recommended: Bold grade, private label
Health-Food & Pharmacy Brands
Nationwide
Clean seed, organic option
Brands selling fenugreek seed and capsules for lactation and blood sugar.
Recommended: Bold grade, tested lots, 500 kg–2 MT
Pet-Food Manufacturers
Cork, Kilkenny
Palatability
Dog and cat food producers using fenugreek as a palatant.
Recommended: Regular grade, big bags
Fenugreek Seeds Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
| Botanical Name | Trigonella foenum-graecum L. |
| Common Names | Fenugreek, Methi, Hulba, Bockshornklee, Fenugrec, Alholva |
| Grade | Bold (golden-yellow) and Regular; whole seed, food/grinding/tea/extraction grade |
| Purity | 99.5% minimum, sortex-cleaned and de-stoned |
| Moisture | ≤10% |
| Admixture | ≤0.5% |
| Pesticide Residues | Tested per lot against EU Regulation (EC) 396/2005 MRLs; report supplied |
| Ethylene Oxide | Tested per lot (ETO + 2-chloroethanol); report supplied |
| Aflatoxin (B1 / total) | Lab-tested per lot; Certificate of Analysis with every shipment |
| Microbiology | Salmonella absent in 25 g; steam-sterilised lots available on request |
| Harvest | March–May (new crop available from May) |
| Shelf Life | 24 months in cool, dry storage |
| Origin | Sindh & Punjab, Pakistan |
| HS Code | 0910.99 |
| Packaging | 25/50 kg PP or multi-wall paper bags; 1 MT big bags; private label available |
| MOQ | 1 Metric Ton (500 kg trial lots and free samples available) |
| Incoterms | FOB Karachi / CFR / CIF |
| Documents | Phytosanitary Certificate + Certificate of Analysis + Certificate of Origin with every shipment |
Shipping & Logistics: Karachi to Ireland
We load at Karachi Port (KICT / SAPT) with services via Jebel Ali or Rotterdam/Antwerp feeders direct to Irish ports, avoiding UK land-bridge customs:
| Destination Port | Typical Transit Time | Serves |
| Dublin Port | 26-31 days | Dublin, Leinster, Kildare equine cluster; border control post |
| Cork (Ringaskiddy) | 27-32 days | Munster feed, dairy and food industry |
| Rosslare | 28-33 days | South-east, direct EU feeder services |
| Waterford | 28-33 days | South-east feed and dairy industry |
Documentation for the Department of Agriculture, FSAI, Irish Revenue and EU Border Control
Fenugreek enters Ireland as a food or feed material of non-animal origin under Regulation (EU) 2017/625, checked at the Dublin Port or Cork border control post and declared by your customs agent in Revenue’s AIS system. Every Kohenoor consignment to Ireland includes:
- Phytosanitary Certificate — issued by Pakistan’s Department of Plant Protection for entry into the EU
- Certificate of Analysis — pesticide residues (EU MRL), ethylene oxide, aflatoxin, heavy metals, moisture, purity and microbiology per lot
- Certificate of Origin — Chamber of Commerce certificate; statement of origin where GSP+ preferences apply
- Commercial Invoice & Packing List — with CN code 0910 99, weights, lot numbers and seal numbers
- Bill of Lading & Insurance — original B/L or telex release and marine insurance certificate for CIF shipments
How Importers in Ireland Order From Us
- Step 1 — Enquiry & Quote: Send your target specification, volume, and destination port via our order page or WhatsApp. We respond with a firm FOB Karachi / CFR / CIF quotation within 24 hours, valid for a stated period against current crop pricing.
- Step 2 — Sample Approval: We courier a representative sample to your facility or laboratory in Ireland so you can verify the lot against the Certificate of Analysis before committing.
- Step 3 — Contract & Payment: We issue a proforma invoice covering quantity, specification, packing, Incoterms, and payment terms (T/T or irrevocable LC at sight). Processing and container booking begin on confirmation.
- Step 4 — Shipment & Documents: Container stuffed, sealed, and loaded at Karachi; the complete document set is couriered or released per agreed terms before arrival at your port in Ireland.
Why Kohenoor International
Irish racing-feed manufacturers cannot risk a contaminated palatant, and spice packers supply the big chains. Kohenoor International tests before loading, ships with complete EU documentation and already supplies fenugreek, fennel and sesame to importers in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.
- Exporting Since 1957 — Nearly seven decades of continuous agricultural export experience from Hyderabad, Sindh, across three generations of the business.
- 70+ Countries Served — Our seeds, herbs, spices, and Himalayan salt ship to buyers in more than 70 countries across five continents.
- ISO 9001:2015 + HACCP Certified — Documented quality management and food-safety controls across sourcing, processing, and packing.
- 60+ Product Portfolio — Alfalfa, Rhodes grass, berseem, sesame, fennel, fenugreek, Himalayan salt, and dozens more — consolidate several products into one container from one audited supplier.
- Industry Memberships — Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), and the International Seed Federation (ISF).
- Full Traceability & Testing — Every lot is lab-tested and shipped with a Certificate of Analysis; samples are couriered before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions — Fenugreek Seeds to Ireland
What is the minimum order of fenugreek seeds for Ireland?
Our MOQ for Irish buyers is 1 metric ton; free samples and 500 kg trial lots are available for laboratory qualification. Equine-feed makers usually order 18-20 MT per 20ft container in 1 MT big bags.
Can you support UFAS/FEMAS and BETA NOPS requirements for horse feed?
Yes. We supply a Certificate of Analysis per lot, ISO 9001:2015 and HACCP certificates, a supplier questionnaire and a statement on naturally occurring prohibited substances for your risk assessment.
How long is transit from Karachi to Dublin?
26-31 days to Dublin, 27-32 days to Cork, direct by sea without UK land-bridge customs. We quote FOB Karachi, CFR and CIF in USD or EUR.
Is Pakistani fenugreek tested for ethylene oxide?
Yes. Every lot is tested for ethylene oxide, 2-chloroethanol and pesticide residues under EU Regulation (EC) 396/2005 by an accredited laboratory, with the report supplied before shipment.
Do you supply whole methi for Indian grocers in retail packs?
Yes. We offer private-label 100 g–2 kg retail packs and 25 kg bags with your artwork and EAN codes for South Asian wholesalers.