The demand for turmeric is increasing rapidly and there is great potential in the European market for African turmeric suppliers. However, these turmeric exporters have to compete with established companies from India. The soil and climate conditions in Nigeria are favorable for turmeric. Research shows that Nigeria could play a leading role in the cultivation of turmeric. A study on different soil types in Cameroon yielded similar conclusions.
Yet there are still contamination issues and "tampering" with turmeric imported from India. At the moment, African exporters have a limited share of the European market. By 2021, more than half of Ethiopia's turmeric exports ended up in India. A European buyer stated that it would be a challenge to compete with Indian companies and suggested that African suppliers focus on higher value medicinal plants. Still, trade data shows that African suppliers are finding their way to the market. ITC Trademap data shows that ...