Psyllium husk prices in India firmed in February as tight seed availability and rising energy-linked processing costs outpaced otherwise stable port and logistics conditions. Delays to seed drying after late-January showers trimmed procurement, compressing mill run rates and leaving finished-stock buffers thin, while nutraceuticals and functional-food blenders led domestic demand and export buyers in the US and Europe accelerated restocking. Supply tightness was feedstock-driven rather than outage-related, with cleaning and de-husking plants operating normally but competing at village auctions for reduced seed volumes. In March, heightened Middle East conflict added energy and logistics risk: higher crude, LPG and bunker benchmarks raised steam-generation, freight and insurance costs, prompting war-risk surcharges and encouraging exporters and buyers to fast-track allocations and stock building. The near term looks biased to further upside as exporters tighten allocations and overseas restocking continues. However, gains should moderate into late spring and mid-year if seasonal seed drying improves procurement, carry-in stocks rebuild and freight/insurance markets normalize, easing pressure on Psyllium husk availability and seller discipline.
