Govt. to export excess turmeric this year

The government said it has plans to export the excess turmeric in the country this year so that the spices sector can up its contribution to the national export earnings.

The announcement was made by the Plantations Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana this week while addressing the new year celebration event held at the ministry premises.

“We have an excess of turmeric. So the turmeric will be sent to foreign markets this year,” the minister shared.

In December 2019 the government imposed a ban on the importation of turmeric, which led to a severe shortage and significantly increased prices. 

A kilo of turmeric increased to about Rs. 5000, but in 2021 prices came down to the levels of Rs. 3,500.

According to industry sources the wholesale price of a kilo of raw root turmeric is within the ranges of Rs. 2,200 to Rs. 2,600 as of today.

Prior to the import ban, the price per kilo of turmeric stood at Rs.325 with an import tax of Rs. 102.