Turmeric prices concluded with a slight increase of 0.01% at Rs 16,232, reflecting a landscape of mixed market fundamentals. Lower-than-normal arrivals in key mandis across Maharashtra and Telangana have sustained price levels during the peak arrival season. Supply of premium “Double Polished” export-quality turmeric has been constrained due to moisture-related rhizome rot issues in low-lying cultivation areas. Robust holding activity by farmers and stockists in Sangli and Nizamabad, anticipating prices to trend towards Rs 18,000, has also bolstered sentiment. High-grade “Salem Fali” turmeric maintained its premium pricing, hovering around Rs 20,000 per quintal in key spot markets.

However, gains remained constrained as daily arrivals surged significantly, generating temporary supply pressure in local mandis. Farmers expedited the liquidation of stocks to generate liquidity for the forthcoming Kharif sowing season, while late-harvested produce with high moisture content encountered significant discounting. Profit-taking by traders who had acquired stocks at lower levels in March contributed to increased selling pressure. Reduced weather concerns during the post-harvest phase have also constrained the risk premium in prices.

On the demand side, export sentiment continued to be bolstered by increasing procurement of IPM-certified turmeric from the EU, alongside active buying enquiries from Bangladesh for finger-variety turmeric. The Agriculture Ministry’s downward revision in production estimates to 1.140 million tonnes has bolstered medium-term bullish expectations. Carry-forward stocks are projected at approximately 15 lakh bags, a notable decrease from the previous season’s 20 lakh bags.

Export data indicated that turmeric exports from April to February 2026 experienced a 1% increase, reaching 163,336 tonnes, whereas imports saw a significant decline of 40%, totalling 12,476 tonnes. Technically, the market is experiencing new buying activity, with open interest rising by 0.69% to 20,525 lots. Turmeric maintains a support level at Rs 16,146 and Rs 16,058, with resistance identified at Rs 16,306 and subsequently at Rs 16,378.