Coriander Grades Explained
What coriander seed is graded on, the EU baseline it must meet, and the order sizes buyers ship, with unverified screen-size bands kept out.
Coriander baseline and order-size table
Coriander seed is graded on colour (bright green versus pale), seed size and splitting, admixture and moisture. These are contract axes rather than fixed numeric grades. What is firm are the EU baseline limits every lot must meet and the order sizes the trade works in.
| Requirement / practice | Value | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Ethylene oxide | 0.1 mg/kg (banned pesticide) | EU limit |
| Salmonella | Absent in 25 g | EU limit |
| Sample order | 50-100 kg | Trade practice |
| Sea LCL | 1-5 MT | Trade practice |
| 20ft FCL (dense seed spice) | 18-22 MT | Trade practice |
| Coriander share of India exports | 2% by value FY2025-26 | Trade data |
How coriander is specified
- Colour: buyers pay up for bright, uniform green seed; pale or blotchy seed discounts.
- Purity and admixture: percentage of clean seed after removing chaff, stones and other seeds.
- Size and splitting: bold round seed versus small or split seed; splits affect grind and aroma retention.
- Moisture: kept low to protect aroma and suppress mould in transit.
Buyer note
Common trade names such as Eagle and Scooter describe bolder versus smaller round types, but there is no single verified screen-size band behind them, so put the exact numbers you need (colour target, purity %, moisture, admixture cap) directly on the contract.
Frequently asked
How is coriander seed graded?
On colour (bright green vs pale), seed size and splitting, purity and admixture, and moisture. These are contract axes; buyers specify the target values per order rather than relying on fixed numeric grades.
Sourcing this? Tell us the spice, grade and destination and we return a documented offer — vetted supply, QC oversight, and the test dossier your market needs.
Start a sourcing enquiry →What this page does not tell you
- Screen-size bands (Eagle, Scooter)
- Numeric size bands behind coriander trade grade names are not in our verified set, so they are not printed.
- Volatile oil by type
- Volatile-oil percentages separating aroma-type from split-type coriander are not verified and are not stated.
Reviewed 16 July 2026.
Sources
- Reg. (EU) 2023/915 — maximum levels for certain contaminants· Tier 1, retrieved 2026-07-16
- CBI — Entering the European market for spices and herbs· Tier 2, retrieved 2026-07-16
- Spices Board of India — Export statistics· Tier 1, retrieved 2026-07-16