Indian Turmeric Faces Rising Global Competition; Focus Shifts to Quality Improvement

Dec 17, 2025: India, which commands nearly 70% share of the global turmeric market, is facing increasing competition from countries such as Vietnam, Myanmar, and several African nations, as these regions rapidly expand turmeric cultivation to capture international market share. Highlighting the growing challenge, N. Bhavani Sri, Secretary of the National Turmeric Board, stressed the urgent need to enhance the quality of Indian turmeric to retain its global leadership. Speaking at the maiden Turmeric Value Chain Summit 2025, she said that while global demand for Indian turmeric remains strong, international buyers are becoming more selective. “Top exporters are keen to source as much turmeric as India can supply, but they are specifically demanding high-quality seed material grown under Good Agricultural Practices (GAP),” she noted. According to her, improving curcumin content and reducing moisture levels below 10% are critical to meeting global standards. She added that while organic certification is not mandatory, produce must follow integrated pest management practices and comply with international quality benchmarks. With competing countries investing aggressively in plantation expansion and quality upgrades, experts believe India must now focus on standardisation, quality enhancement, and value-chain strengthening to maintain its dominance in the global turmeric trade.