Lok Sabha Question No. 1321 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-11
Subject: Global Turmeric Trade
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Eatala Rajender, Smt. D K Aruna, Shri Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1321 ANSWERED ON 11/02/2025

## GLOBAL TURMERIC TRADE

1321.  SHRI EATALA RAJENDER: SMT. D K ARUNA:

SHRI CHAMALA KIRAN KUMAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मं त्री ) be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government having share of over sixty two per cent of global turmeric trade, the country faces challenges that impede further growth and they range from rejection of spices in key export markets, price fluctuations leading to farmers withdrawing from cultivation and not meeting  the  desired  curcumin  levels  required  by  firms  as  per  reports  and  the  Government expressing hope that the National Turmeric Board (NTB) in Nizamabad, Telangana will help and develop new markets internationally;

(b) if so, whether this will help promote exports and double production to about two million tonnes in five years and it will focus on development of turmeric and turmeric products in the country, State-wise including Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether  the  earnings  were  largely  due  to  the  farmers'  reliance  on  cultivating  multiple crops like paddy, soybean and this was due to of a sudden fall in prices, unfavourable weather conditions,  pest  infestation,  inability  to  connect  to  the  right  buyers  and  issues  related  to  soil fertility and if so, the details thereof and corrective steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य और उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) to (c) India  is  the  leading  producer,  consumer  and  exporter  of  turmeric  in  the  world. During  2023-24,  India  exported  1,62,018  tons  of  turmeric  valued  at  226.58  million  USD contributing  to  around  65%  of  global  export  of  turmeric.  In  2023-24,  more  than  99.95%  of turmeric consignments exported from India were accepted in the export markets and rejection rate was less than 0.05%.

Spices Board, under its scheme 'Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and  Collaborative  Interventions  for  Export  Development  (SPICED)'  undertakes  activities  for export promotion of 52 scheduled spices including turmeric.

Further  in  order  to  harness  the  potential  of  turmeric  and  turmeric  products  in  the  country, including the state of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the central government has constituted the National Turmeric Board with the following objectives:

- i. Promote new product development and value addition in turmeric;
- ii. Promote  awareness  and  consumption  of  turmeric  and  turmeric  products  in international markets;
- iii. Facilitate  market  research  in  potential  international  markets  for  development  of value-added turmeric products;
- iv. Facilitate creation and improvement of infrastructure and logistics for exports of turmeric and turmeric products;
- v. Encourage  building  of  resilient  and  sustainable  supply  chains  for  turmeric  and turmeric products  by strengthening forward and backward linkages;
- vi. Promote compliance with quality and safety standards across the supply chain of turmeric;
- vii. Promote capacity building and skill development of turmeric growers for value addition activities;
- viii. Strengthen documentation of traditional knowledge related to use of turmeric and its applications;
- ix. Encourage studies, clinical trials and research on medicinal, health and    wellness enhancing properties of turmeric; and
- x. Any  other  objective  as  may  be  determined  by  the  Central  Government  for promotion and development of the turmeric sector.

Production of turmeric in India in 2023-24, was 10.63 lakh tons from an area of 2.93 lakh ha. The domestic price of turmeric in the major markets of Erode and Nizamabad during 2024-25 (Apr-Dec)  was  Rs.136.19/kg  and  Rs.121.34/kg  respectively  as  compared  to  Rs.83.60/kg  and Rs.88.44/kg  during  the  corresponding  period  of  the  previous  year,  registering  an  increase  of 62.9% in the Erode market and 37.2% in the Nizamabad market. The Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD) is implementing a programme for large scale demonstration of Export oriented production of turmeric with high curcumin in select locations, such as Bastar in Chattisgarh,  Kandhamal  in  Odisha,  Waigaon  in  Maharashtra  and  Chintappalli  in  Andhra Pradesh.

Turmeric is an annual crop grown as pure as well as intercrop (with cereals, pulses, oilseeds, other spices etc.) by the farmers and the duration from planting to harvesting ranges from 180 days  to  280  days  depending  on  the  cultivars/varieties.   Ministry  of  Agriculture  &  Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India implements various programmes under its flagship programme, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for the development of horticulture crops, including  turmeric.  The  mission  programmes  are  aimed  at  increasing  production,  productivity and quality of the produce to meet the growing demand in the domestic as well as export market.

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