At a glance
- Incoterms
- FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA
India's turmeric export trade
India exported US$341.5 mn of turmeric in FY2024-25 according to indianspices.com.
Largest destinations by value share: unavailable by country
Export markets we serve
| Market | What matters there | Sea transit from India |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Facility registration (FDA); Advance notice of each shipment (FDA) | 24-30 via Suez; 32-40 via Cape days |
| Canada | Importer licence & controls (CFIA (SFCR)); Labelling (CFIA / Health Canada) | 26-34 via Suez; 34-42 via Cape days |
| Germany | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 21-27 via Suez; 31-38 via Cape days |
| Netherlands | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 18-24 via Suez; 28-35 via Cape days |
| France | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 20–25 d to Le Havre; 15–20 d to Marseille-Fos (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| Italy | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 15–20 d to Genoa/La Spezia via Suez (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| Spain | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 15–20 d to Valencia/Barcelona/Algeciras via Suez (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| United Arab Emirates | Federal food registration / import permit (MOCCAE); Company & product registration before arrival (Dubai Municipality Food Safety Dept) | 3-6 days |
| Saudi Arabia | Importer & product registration (SFDA); Clearance documents (SFDA via FASAH) | 6-10 days |
| Belgium | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 19-25 via Suez; 29-36 via Cape days |
| Poland | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 28–35 d to Gdańsk (direct Asia–Baltic loops or via Hamburg/Rotterdam feeder) (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Sweden | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 28–35 d to Gothenburg via Hamburg/Rotterdam feeder (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Denmark | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 28–35 d to Aarhus/Copenhagen via Hamburg feeder (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Qatar | General import clearance | 6–9 d to Hamad Port, often via Jebel Ali/Salalah transhipment (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Kuwait | General import clearance | 8–12 d to Shuwaikh/Shuaiba, usually via Jebel Ali (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Oman | General import clearance | 3–5 d Mundra/Nhava Sheva → Sohar/Muscat; 4–6 d Salalah (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Bahrain | General import clearance | 7–10 d via Jebel Ali/Dammam (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Ireland | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 25–32 d to Dublin via Rotterdam/Antwerp/UK feeder (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Bangladesh | General import clearance | 7–12 d by feeder via Colombo/Singapore to Chattogram; land route via Petrapole–Benapole 1–3 d from Kolkata (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Sri Lanka | General import clearance | 2–4 d Nhava Sheva/Tuticorin/Chennai → Colombo (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
Transit times are typical port-to-port estimates; regulatory items are the main product-specific requirements, not an exhaustive list.
Where turmeric is sourced in India
Tamil Nadu — Erode, Salem, Coimbatore. Erode - largest turmeric market; Erode Manjal GI (2019)
Maharashtra — Sangli, Hingoli, Nanded. Largest producing state; Rajapuri turmeric
Telangana — Nizamabad, Jagtial. Nizamabad turmeric market
Meghalaya — West Jaintia Hills. Lakadong - high-curcumin niche
- Erode (largest market/ processing) / Sangli / Nizamabad (Telangana; Maharashtra; Tamil Nadu; AP; Meghalaya) · ships via Chennai · season: Harvest Jan-Mar; curing/polishing Feb-Apr (ASSUMPTION)
Typical export specification
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Curcumin | 2-3% standard; 3-5% Alleppey/Salem type; 6-7%+ Lakadong (typical) |
| Moisture | ≤ 10% fingers; ≤ 10% powder (typical) |
| Lead (Pb) | Not detected / below destination limit; no lead chromate |
| Total ash / acid-insoluble ash | ≤ 7% / ≤ 1.5% (typical) |
| Powder mesh | 60-80 mesh (typical) |
| Aflatoxin | EU B1 5 µg/kg, total 10 µg/kg |
Agreed per contract and confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Export documentation
Documents we prepare or arrange for each shipment:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- Phytosanitary certificate
- Certificate of analysis (EtO, pesticides, aflatoxin, Sudan dyes where relevant)
- Spices Board quality certificate where required
- Fumigation certificate (if specified)
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for turmeric exported from India?
Turmeric is usually classified under HS 091030 (Turmeric (curcuma)). India's ITC(HS) splits 0910 30 into fresh, dried (fingers/bulbs) and powder lines; curcumin extract is classified elsewhere (3203 / 2932 / 1302 depending on form).
Where is turmeric produced in India?
Main clusters: Erode (largest market/ processing) / Sangli / Nizamabad, Telangana; Maharashtra; Tamil Nadu; AP; Meghalaya.
Which documents are needed to export turmeric?
Commercial invoice, Packing list, Bill of lading, Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies), Phytosanitary certificate, Certificate of analysis (EtO, pesticides, aflatoxin, Sudan dyes where relevant), Spices Board quality certificate where required. Destination-specific registrations are listed on each market page.
What curcumin content does Indian turmeric have?
Standard Erode/Salem turmeric is about 2-3%, Alleppey-type 3-5% and Lakadong from Meghalaya 6-7% or more (typical values; each lot is tested).
Is your turmeric tested for lead?
Yes - every lot is tested for lead to rule out lead-chromate adulteration, a known issue that has triggered US FDA alerts.
What is the difference between fingers and bulbs?
Fingers are the secondary rhizomes and are the main export form; bulbs are the central mother rhizomes and are usually ground.
Market guides
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