Turmeric

Introduction

A yellow spice with a warm and mellow flavor, turmeric is related to ginger. Turmeric is a very important spice in India and is mainly used in preparing mustard and curry powder, and it's a popular ingredient in Middle Eastern cooking. It is a natural antiseptic. In medieval Europe, turmeric became known as Indian Saffron, since it was widely used as an alternative to the far more expensive saffron spice.

Turmeric cultivation is confined to South East Asian countries such as India, Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, Australia, Africa, Peru and the West Indies and needs temperatures between 20 °C and 35 °C, and a considerable amount of annual rainfall to thrive.

Turmeric is also used as a dye in textile industry. It is used in the preparation of medicinal oils and ointments. Turmeric has got medicinal properties like it is stomachic, carminative, tonic, blood purifier and an antiseptic. The quality of turmeric is assessed on the basis of several factors, which include the pigment content, the general appearance, size and shape of the rhizome.

Global Scenario

Global production of turmeric is estimated around 7 to 8 lakh tons. India dominates the world turmeric market and produces nearly 80 % of the total world's production. China is the number two exporter of this spice. Other turmeric exporting countries are Vietnam and Myanmar.

Major importers of turmeric are UAE, USA, UK, Japan and other Asian countries. Exports generally happen in the form of dry turmeric after polishing, fresh turmeric, turmeric powder, dehydrated turmeric powder, oils and oleoresins.

Indian Scenario

India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric. . India accounts for 60 % of world exports. The main growing states in India are Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala.

The major trading centers are: Nizamabad, Duggirala and Warangal in Andhra Pradesh, Sangli in Maharashtra and Salem, Erode, Dharmapuri and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. In India, there are around 30 varieties cultivated of turmeric. Popular ones are Alleppey Finger, Erode, Salem turmeric, Rajapuri, Sangli turmeric and Nizamabad fingers.

Factors influencing Turmeric prices

Domestic and export demand
Carryover stocks of previous year with trade; and stock with farmers/warehouses
Acreage under turmeric
Progress of monsoon and weather conditions
Cost of cultivation as turmeric cultivation is highly labor intensive job

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Turmeric