Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, March 24 The ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran has halted turmeric exports from the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, causing domestic prices to fall from ₹16,500 to ₹13,000 per quintal.
Shiv Sena MLC Hemant Patil stated on Tuesday that turmeric cultivated in Marathwada is exported to Gulf and African countries, but the war that broke out last month has completely halted exports.
Turmeric is a cash crop cultivated on nearly 2 lakh acres in the Hingoli district, and the Vasmat variety received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2024.
Containers of turmeric from Hingoli and adjoining regions are shipped out of the country from Tamil Nadu and Kerala after processing, said Patil, who also heads the Balasaheb Thackeray Turmeric Research and Training Centre in Hingoli.
"Hingoli, Nanded, Wardha, Parbhani, Yavatmal, and Washim are the turmeric-growing regions in Marathwada. These districts produce nearly 25 lakh tonnes of the crop. The land under turmeric cultivation in the Hingoli district alone is around 2 lakh hectares," he said.
Prakash Soni, a turmeric trader from Hingoli, said the Iran war has not only completely halted the exports, but the price of the produce in the domestic market has also been affected.
"Before the war, turmeric was being sold at ₹16,500 per quintal. The price has now reached ₹13,000. The price will further decrease if the war continues," he said.
According to data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India exported turmeric worth USD 341.54 million in 2024-25, with Maharashtra alone accounting for USD 155.35 million.
The produce was exported to Bangladesh, the UAE, the US, Malaysia, and Morocco.