MLCs K. Shivakumar and C.N. Manje Gowda, among others, at the inauguration of a buyer-seller meet on turmeric in Mysuru on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: M.A. SRIRAM
A buyer–seller meet for turmeric was organised in Mysuru on Thursday with the objective of strengthening market linkages, boosting exports and promoting value addition in one of the country’s most important spice crops.
The event was jointly organised by the Karnataka State Department of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka, the National Turmeric Board, the Spices Board of India, and the Karnataka Spices Development Board. Farmers, traders, exporters, and officials participated in the meet.
Organisers highlighted turmeric’s long history of medicinal and cultural significance, spanning nearly 4,000 years. Known as the “Golden Spice”, turmeric has been widely used in Ayurveda and traditional medicine. Its importance in modern healthcare has gained renewed attention, with thousands of research studies published in recent decades.
Legislative Council member K. Shivakumar demanded that a regional centre of the National Turmeric Board be established in Chamarajanagar to support growers in the region. He said that turmeric produced in the border district of Chamarajanagar is among the best quality in the country.
Expressing concern over frequent price fluctuations and market uncertainty, the MLC sought an assured price mechanism for turmeric growers. He urged the Centre to take steps to establish turmeric processing units in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar.
Pointing out that growers in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar largely depend on markets in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, he said the dependence should be reduced by strengthening local markets with the support of turmeric board.
Girish, Managing Director, Karnataka Spices Development Board, said that nearly 75 to 80 per cent of the world’s spices are produced in India, which is the largest consumer of spices. He noted that turmeric is an important spice crop cultivated extensively in Karnataka.
Karnataka ranks fourth in the country in the production of turmeric. Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Belagavi, and Bagalkot are the major turmeric-producing districts in the State. Karnataka is a leading producer of other spices such as ginger, chilli, black pepper, garlic, coriander, tamarind and cardamom.
India continues to be one of the world’s leading producers, consumers, and exporters of turmeric. During 2024–25, the country exported 1.76 lakh tonnes of turmeric valued at USD 341.54 million. Major export destinations include Bangladesh, the UAE, the USA, Malaysia, Morocco, Iran, Germany, Saudi Arabia, the U.K., and the Netherlands. During the same period, India imported around 21,412 metric tonnes of turmeric for value addition and re-export, according to the organisers.
Published – January 08, 2026 07:20 pm IST
