Key facts
- Market guides for 19 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, Spices Board CRES, Phytosanitary certificate, HACCP, ISO 22000 and more.
- Typical minimum order: LCL from about 200-500 kg (typical).
Product overview
Curry leaves (Murraya koenigii) are an essential aromatic herb in South Indian and Sri Lankan cooking. Fresh leaves are air-freighted to diaspora markets, while dried leaves offer a shelf-stable alternative for retail, food service and seasoning manufacturers. A dedicated export statistic is not available in the sources used.
Cultivation is concentrated in Tamil Nadu (Coimbatore, Karamadai, Tiruppur), Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Leaves are cleaned and dried at low temperature (or freeze-dried) to retain green colour and aroma, then sold whole, crushed or as powder.
Fresh curry leaves from India have historically been listed under EU increased official controls for pesticide residues, so residue-tested lots are essential for European buyers, and Salmonella/microbiology testing is standard for dried herbs.
HS note: Classification varies (1211 90 or 0910 99); fresh curry leaves are 0709 99 / 1211 and face separate EU controls.
Specifications
| Moisture | ≤ 8-10% (typical) |
|---|---|
| Colour | Green to dark green (typical) |
| Foreign matter / stems | ≤ 2% (typical) |
| Microbiology | Salmonella absent; TPC per buyer spec (typical) |
| Pesticide residues | Within EU/destination MRLs |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Whole dried leaves
Retail and food service.
Crushed / flakes
Seasoning blends.
Curry leaf powder
Seasonings, chutney powders, supplements.
Freeze-dried leaves
Premium colour and aroma retention.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk | 5-15 kg cartons with poly liners | Light and bulky |
| Retail | 20-200 g pouches and jars | Private label |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP about 3-5 MT whole (volume-limited); about 8-10 MT powder · 40' HC about 7-10 MT whole. Very low density as whole leaves
Customisation: Whole, crushed, powder, freeze-dried; retail packs
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Tamil Nadu
Coimbatore (Karamadai), Tiruppur, Erode
Main curry-leaf cultivation belt
Karnataka
Bengaluru Rural, Kolar
Peri-urban cultivation
Andhra Pradesh
Guntur, Krishna
Cultivation
Market requirements by region
European Union
Curry leaves from India have historically been listed under EU increased official controls for pesticide residues (Reg. 2019/1793) - check the current annex and supply residue-tested lots.
United States & Canada
USA: the packing facility needs FDA Food Facility Registration, every shipment needs FDA Prior Notice, and the US importer must run FSVP supplier verification. US tariff treatment of Indian goods changed several times in 2025-26 (reciprocal tariffs, product exemptions, a Feb-2026 India-US framework and later court rulings) - verify the current duty for the HTS line before quoting landed cost. Diaspora grocery demand; dried herbs are subject to FDA Salmonella sampling.
United Kingdom
UK: extra control measures have applied to Indian spice imports since May 2024 after the EtO episode; the India-UK CETA (in force 15 July 2026, reported) gives tariff preference with proof of origin. UK diaspora retail is a core market for both fresh and dried curry leaves.
Gulf (GCC)
UAE: Dubai Municipality FIRS requires the importer to register the company and each food item (label assessment) before arrival; Arabic/English labelling per GSO 9; India-UAE CEPA preference with a CEPA certificate of origin. Large South Indian and Sri Lankan diaspora in UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Quality control
- • Pesticide residue and Salmonella testing per lot
- • Colour and stem-content check
- • EtO test certificate for EU/UK lots
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • Spices Board CRES
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • HACCP
- • ISO 22000
- • Halal certificate
- • India Organic (NPOP)
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • Certificate of analysis (pesticides, microbiology)
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
How are curry leaves dried?
At low temperature or by freeze-drying to keep the green colour and aroma; sun-drying is avoided for export grades.
Do Indian curry leaves face EU checks?
Fresh curry leaves from India have historically been under EU increased pesticide controls, so dried leaves for the EU are residue-tested before shipment.
What forms are available?
Whole dried leaves, crushed flakes, powder and freeze-dried leaves.
What is the shelf life?
About 12 months in airtight, light-proof packing.
Request a quote for Dried Curry Leaves (Whole, Crushed and Powder)
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