Turmeric prices cross ₹16,000 a quintal in Erode market

Turmeric prices crossed ₹16,000 a quintal in Erode markets on Thursday (January 8, 2026), driven by depleted stocks across the country and fears of crop failure due to poor monsoon and adverse climatic conditions.

The Erode turmeric market, the second largest in the country after Nizamabad in Telangana, attracts farmers from across the district and other States. Produce is auctioned at regulated and agricultural producers’ cooperative markets in Erode, Perundurai and Gobichettipalayam.

At the Erode Regulated Market on Thursday, the finger variety was auctioned at prices ranging from ₹8,999 a quintal to ₹16,369 a quintal, while the bulb variety fetched between ₹8,469 a quintal and ₹14,599 a quintal.

“Traders are concerned that turmeric production could be affected due to the poor monsoon and prevailing unfavourable climatic conditions,” said M. Sathyamurthy, secretary of the Erode Turmeric Merchants and Godown Owners’ Association. He added that national stock levels were estimated to have fallen below 10 lakh bags. He pointed out that turmeric futures and options on the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX) are nearing ₹18,000 a quintal. “The upward price trend is expected to continue until the first week of February, when fresh arrivals begin,” he said.

Turmeric harvesting is expected to begin after Pongal, with fresh stocks reaching markets from February after processing. Traders said prices would be guided by the volume and quality of arrivals next month.