Key facts
- India exported US$689 million of ayush & herbal products in FY2024-25 (pharmexcil.com).
- Largest destinations by value: unavailable
- Market guides for 15 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, HACCP, ISO 22000, Halal certificate, Kosher certificate and more.
- Typical minimum order: 25 kg for extracts; 500 kg - 1 MT for root powder (typical).
Product overview
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is grown mainly in Madhya Pradesh (Mandsaur and Neemuch) and Rajasthan, and processed into powders and extracts by herbal-extract plants in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and Uttarakhand. AYUSH and herbal exports reached about US$689 mn in FY2024-25 (Pharmexcil), and ashwagandha is one of the best-known Indian botanicals in the US and European supplement market.
Buyers specify the plant part (root only or root plus leaf), the extraction solvent (water or hydro-alcoholic) and the withanolide content and test method. HPLC and gravimetric results are not comparable.
Regulatory status varies widely by country. Denmark banned ashwagandha in food supplements in 2023, and several EU authorities have issued warnings. Every enquiry needs a market check first.
HS note: Dried root and root powder are classified under 1211.90; standardised extracts under 1302.19. Finished capsules sold as Ayurvedic medicine may go under 3004.
Specifications
| Withanolides | 1.5%, 2.5%, 5% by HPLC, or higher by gravimetric method; state the method (typical) |
|---|---|
| Plant part | Root only (preferred for EU/US) or root + leaf (typical) |
| Loss on drying | ≤ 5% (typical) |
| Mesh | 80 mesh (typical) |
| Heavy metals | Pb ≤ 3 ppm, Cd ≤ 1 ppm, As ≤ 2 ppm, Hg ≤ 0.1 ppm (typical buyer spec) |
| Microbiology | TPC ≤ 10,000 cfu/g; yeast & mould ≤ 1,000 cfu/g; E. coli and Salmonella absent (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Root powder
Cleaned, dried, pulverised root; for teas, Ayurvedic churna and capsules.
Standardised extract 2.5% / 5%
Water or hydro-alcoholic root extract standardised by HPLC.
Organic
NPOP / USDA NOP certified chains, on request.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre drum | 25 kg fibre drums with double LDPE liners | — |
| Sample | 100-500 g with CoA | — |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP ~8-10 MT in 25 kg drums · 40' HC ~14-18 MT. Usually LCL or air for extracts; FCL for powder
Customisation: Custom standardisation, organic chains, encapsulated finished product via partner GMP plants
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Madhya Pradesh
Mandsaur, Neemuch
Main cultivation and mandi belt (ASSUMPTION - trade knowledge)
Rajasthan
Kota, Jhalawar
ASSUMPTION - adjoining growing area
Uttarakhand
Haridwar
Ayurveda/extract manufacturing cluster (SIDCUL)
Market requirements by region
European Union
Denmark banned ashwagandha in food supplements in 2023; the Netherlands and France have issued warnings, and EU-wide restrictions were under discussion in 2026. Check the target member state before quoting.
United States & Canada
Large US market for ashwagandha supplements; sold as a dietary ingredient under DSHEA, with the US importer responsible for FSVP and labelling. US duty on Indian goods as of 22 Oct 2026 (per our compliance research, secondary legal analysis): MFN rate plus a 10% Section 301 tariff in force since 24 Jul 2026; Section 232 goods (steel, aluminium, copper, autos/parts) pay the 232 rate instead. Re-verify before quoting landed cost.
United Kingdom
Sold as a food supplement ingredient; buyers increasingly ask for root-only material and tolerable-intake justification.
Australia & New Zealand
Australia regulates many herbal products as listed complementary medicines (TGA); the sponsor must hold the listing.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Trade policy note
Cultivated ashwagandha is freely exportable; export of plants and derivatives collected from the wild is restricted under DGFT policy (ASSUMPTION - confirm the ITC(HS) policy condition for the 8-digit line).
Quality control
- • CoA per batch: assay (HPLC), LOD, heavy metals, microbials, pesticide residues
- • Third-party lab test (e.g. Eurofins, SGS) on request
- • Plant-part and solvent declaration
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • HACCP
- • ISO 22000
- • Halal certificate
- • Kosher certificate
- • India Organic (NPOP)
- • USDA Organic (NOP)
- • WHO-GMP
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading / airway bill
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • Certificate of analysis
- • Phytosanitary certificate (for root/powder)
- • Organic transaction certificate where applicable
- • Non-GMO / allergen statements
- • Safety data sheet
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India exportsLine: AYUSH & herbal products | 688.9 | verified | pharmexcil.com |
Top destinations: unavailable
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
HPLC or gravimetric - which withanolide figure should I ask for?
HPLC measures specific withanolides and gives lower numbers; gravimetric measures a broader fraction and gives higher numbers. Specify the method in the purchase order.
Root only or root and leaf?
Many EU and US buyers ask for root-only extracts, partly because of the Danish risk assessment. Leaf-containing extracts are cheaper.
Is ashwagandha allowed in the EU?
It depends on the member state. Denmark bans it in food supplements; elsewhere it is sold with warnings. Check before you buy.
Can you supply organic ashwagandha?
Yes, from NPOP- and NOP-certified chains, with a transaction certificate per lot.
What tests come with each lot?
Assay, loss on drying, heavy metals, microbials and pesticide residues. Ethylene oxide and PAH tests can be added on request.
Request a quote for Ashwagandha Root Extract & Powder
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