India: Turmeric export value increases 13% y-o-y in Apr’26 as premium demand lifts global shipments

• Export value rises to INR 256.79 crore in April 
• Value-added products support India’s export growth

India’s turmeric exports started FY2026-27 on a positive note, with export value increasing 13% y-o-y to INR 256.79 crore in April 2026 from INR 227.42 crore in April 2025. The increase reflects sustained overseas demand from the food processing, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and wellness sectors. India continues to dominate the global turmeric trade, benefiting from its diverse product range, reliable supply chain and consistent production.

Premium turmeric attracts global buyers

Export demand remained supported by increasing purchases of high-curcumin, residue-free and fully traceable turmeric, particularly from buyers in the US, Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Industry participants noted that stricter food safety regulations in developed markets are encouraging exporters to strengthen laboratory testing, certification and traceability systems. Demand for certified organic turmeric and processed products has also continued to expand, allowing exporters to target premium market segments.

Value-added products strengthen export competitiveness

Market participants highlighted that exports of curcumin extracts, oleoresins and turmeric powder continue to gain traction as global consumers increasingly prefer natural ingredients for health supplements and functional foods. These products offer higher export realisations than raw turmeric fingers, encouraging greater investment in processing and quality enhancement. However, exporters continue to monitor freight costs, competition from emerging suppliers and compliance with increasingly stringent residue norms in destination markets.

Outlook

Export demand is expected to remain firm through the July-September quarter, supported by healthy consumption across health, food and nutraceutical industries. Continued focus on premium quality, traceability and value-added processing is likely to strengthen India’s position in the global turmeric market, although export pricing will remain sensitive to logistics costs, new crop expectations and regulatory developments.