Turmeric market sees bright season ahead as Maharashtra leads production surge

Even as unseasonal rains damaged major crops across Maharashtra, turmeric farmers are looking at a promising season.

The golden spice has emerged as one of the least affected crops this year, and producers predict a bumper harvest.

With market prices remaining firm over the past two years, the area under turmeric cultivation in Maharashtra—the country’s top producer—has expanded steadily.

Turmeric planting begins soon after the pre-monsoon showers, and the crop is ready for harvest within seven to nine months.

For 2024–25, the state’s advanced estimates indicate turmeric cultivation across 77,992 hectares, accounting for 26 per cent of India’s total area, and production of 2,90,137 metric tonnes, about 25 per cent of national output.

Farmers in Sangli—the state’s turmeric hub producing nearly 70 per cent of Maharashtra’s crop—say acreage has increased this season. They expect cultivation in Maharashtra to surpass 85,148 hectares, the level achieved in 2023–24.

All India Growth

According to agriculture experts, the all-India turmeric area may cross three lakh hectares this year, compared to 2,90,939 hectares in 2024–25.

As per the Spices Board of India, national production stood at 10,63,224 metric tonnes in 2023–24, and advanced estimates for 2024–25 place it at 11,16,124 metric tonnes—a rise driven by stable prices and favourable weather in key regions.

Along with Maharashtra, major turmeric-growing states include Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh.

India remains the world’s largest producer, consumer, and exporter of turmeric, contributing nearly 80 per cent of global output, followed by China (8 per cent), Myanmar (4 per cent), Nigeria (3 per cent), and Bangladesh (3 per cent).

Positive Outlook

Farmers in Sangli say the market outlook remains positive. “Within two months, the new crop will start arriving, but prices are likely to remain steady,” says Rajesh Patil, a local grower. “Even after fresh arrivals, rates may not fall drastically.” In recent months, Maharashtra’s APMC markets have reported turmeric fetching a maximum of ₹23,000 per quintal, a minimum of ₹10,000, and model prices between ₹12,000 and ₹20,000.

According to agriculture expert Deepak Chavan, India exported 1.76 lakh tonnes of turmeric worth US$341 million in the last financial year. Maharashtra accounted for US$155 million, or 45 per cent of the total export value. India’s share in global turmeric exports stood at 66 per cent in 2024, reinforcing the country’s dominance in the international spice trade.

With Maharashtra driving both production and export growth, the state is expected to consolidate its position as the country’s turmeric powerhouse in the coming season, said Chavan.

Published on November 12, 2025