India’s Golden Revolution: Transforming Turmeric into a Global Powerhouse

Indian kitchens, traditional medicine closets and religious ceremonies throughout the country have respected turmeric since ancient times, earning it the name "the golden spice." From its position as a sacred symbol in Indian tradition, turmeric functions as an embodiment of Indian agricultural dominance throughout the world. The yellow pigmentation of turmeric, combined with its medical properties, drives India to position this spice as one of its foremost agricultural export products. India’s export value of turmeric rose from US$ 182.53 million in 2017 to US$ 212.65 million in 2023, signifying the rising global demand as well as India’s dominance in the global turmeric market. The commercial transformation of turmeric from a household spice to international health and pharmaceuticals markets and cosmetic stores is popularly called the "Golden Revolution".

The roots of turmeric’s legacy

Turmeric (Curcuma Longa), a member of the ginger family, has been cultivated in India since centuries. This is evident from its mention in ancient ayurvedic texts, which mention that turmeric has several healing properties that treat inflammation, digestive and skin problems. ‘Haldi doodh’ (turmeric milk) is a staple in Indian kitchens and is considered a cure-all tonic. It is bestowed additional importance as it is used in Indian wedding rituals as well as festivals, signifying its spiritual and symbolic significance.

Overview of the turmeric market

The global market value of turmeric stood at US$ 58.2 million in 2020, and industry experts anticipate this value will expand at a CAGR of 16.1% to US$ 194.04 million during 2020–28. Market demand for turmeric has increased as more people recognise the medicinal properties of curcumin. In 2023, worldwide turmeric trade reached US$ 587 million, with exports reaching US$ 320 million. Exporting value surged 13.56% during 2017–23.

Source: Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, F-Forecasted

India is not just the largest consumer of turmeric but also its biggest producer and exporter. India produced 11.61 lakh tonnes of turmeric in FY23 on 3.24 lakh hectares, accounting for more than 75% of global production. More than 30 varieties of turmeric are grown in over 20 states across the country. Key turmeric-producing states include Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Karnataka, with Erode in Tamil Nadu famously known as “Turmeric City.”

Source: Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, F-Forecasted

The global market leadership of India as the biggest producer and exporter in this industry has grown as export values increased from US$ 182.53 million in 2017 to US$ 212.65 million in 2023 while its market share rose from 71.55% to 73.40% during this period. The Government of India aims to put India on the global map for turmeric production and projects that the exports would touch US$ 1 billion by 2030. The leading export markets for Indian turmeric are Bangladesh, the UAE, the US, and Malaysia.

Rising demand

In recent years, turmeric experienced an unprecedented surge in global interest, primarily driven by:

• Health and wellness boom: Scientific studies validate turmeric’s medicinal benefits, especially its active compound, curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-carcinogenic properties. This has boosted demand from nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and functional food industries.
• Natural and organic lifestyle trends: As consumers worldwide shift towards organic, plant-based, and chemical-free alternatives, turmeric has emerged as a star ingredient in supplements, teas, energy bars, skincare products, and even immunity boosters post-COVID-19.
• Culinary curiosity: International cuisines and food influencers have embraced turmeric, leading to innovative recipes like turmeric lattes (“golden milk”), turmeric hummus, and turmeric-infused drinks.

Demand for high-curcumin and organic varieties of turmeric has also been rising because of its diverse end-uses and affordability. Developed markets like the EU and the USA are emerging as key hubs for high-quality turmeric that meets stringent SPS and quality standards. In this context, India can become a turmeric production hub and widen its consumer base by expanding exports to destination countries other than South Asia.

Government initiatives supporting growth of the turmeric market

Recognising the export potential of turmeric, both central and state governments have rolled out policies and schemes to bolster production, processing, and branding.

• Cluster-based development

  Under the Agricultural Export Policy (AEP), turmeric has been identified as a focus crop. Turmeric clusters in Erode (Tamil Nadu), Nizamabad (Telangana), and Sangli (Maharashtra) are being developed with common facilities for sorting, grading, and packaging to meet global standards.

• Support through FPOs and farmer training

  Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) have been instrumental in aggregating smallholder turmeric farmers, enabling better bargaining power, access to technology, and training on good agricultural practices (GAP). These steps ensure improved productivity and quality, which are crucial for export competitiveness.

• Brand India initiatives

  Geographic Indication (GI) tagging of specific turmeric varieties, like Erode turmeric and Lakadong turmeric (Meghalaya), helps position them as premium, traceable, and authentic products in foreign markets.

• Organic and sustainability push

  India is supporting turmeric farmers in securing organic certifications, particularly in the North-Eastern states. These certifications, along with blockchain-based traceability systems, are helping build trust among international buyers concerned with sustainability and origin authenticity.

Private sector and startups: Adding spice to the story

India’s turmeric transformation is not just a government-led movement. A vibrant ecosystem of startups, exporters, and agri-entrepreneurs is innovating along the turmeric value chain.

• Startups like “Zizira” and “Pahari Roots” are sourcing Lakadong turmeric from Meghalaya, promoting it as one of the world's richest curcumin-content turmeric (over 7%).
• Wellness brands are developing turmeric-based capsules, teas, serums, and essential oils, targeting health-conscious urban and international audiences.
• D2C e-commerce platforms and social media marketing have helped niche turmeric products reach global consumers directly, bypassing traditional trade barriers.

Private investments in turmeric processing plants, cold storage, and export infrastructure have also enhanced quality control and value addition.