Turmeric, a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Ginger family (Zingiberaceae), is not only a familiar spice in Vietnamese cuisine but also a precious medicinal herb, bringing high economic value to Vietnam through export activities.
1. Origin and Key Growing Regions
Turmeric originated in the tropical region of Tamil Nadu, southeastern India. In Vietnam, turmeric is widely cultivated from coastal plains to high mountainous areas, adapting to various climatic conditions. The plant thrives in humid, sunny conditions and can tolerate some shade, growing best at temperatures between 20-30 degrees Celsius with an average annual rainfall of 2,000-2,500mm. In the North, turmeric is typically planted from February to April, while in the South, it’s from November to December. These periods help the plants develop well, yielding a high curcumin content (usually 3-5%).
Some famous turmeric growing regions in Vietnam, especially Hung Yen Red Turmeric, are highly regarded for their quality and curcumin content. These regions often apply VietGAP procedures to ensure products meet standards, serving both domestic and export markets.
2. Economic Value and Competitive Advantages
Turmeric brings significant economic value to Vietnam. With its high curcumin content and other valuable active compounds, turmeric is used not only in traditional and modern medicine but also as an important ingredient in the food and cosmetics industries.
Vietnam’s export turnover of turmeric powder has shown positive growth. For instance, in the first 9 months of 2023, this figure reached 9.8 million USD, a 15% increase compared to the same period in 2022. Additionally, the export of ginger, turmeric, and other spices contributes significantly to Vietnam’s total agricultural export turnover.
Compared to competitors, Vietnamese turmeric powder has a price advantage, ranging from 2,000-2,500 USD/ton, which is lower than India’s (3,000-3,500 USD/ton). This gives Vietnamese turmeric products strong competitiveness in the international market.
3. Diverse Vietnamese Turmeric Products
Vietnamese turmeric products for export are highly diverse, including:
- Turmeric Powder/Starch: This is the flagship product, processed from fresh turmeric rhizomes through modern procedures that remove impurities and unwanted essential oils to retain a high curcumin content. Turmeric powder is widely used in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
- Ground Turmeric: This product is made from 100% red turmeric, retaining its natural color and flavor, often used as a spice in cooking and traditional remedies.
- Fresh Turmeric/Turmeric Seed: Fresh turmeric and turmeric seeds are also exported to meet the cultivation and processing needs in other countries.
- Deep-processed Products: Furthermore, there are more advanced products such as nano curcumin (an advanced technology that enhances curcumin absorption), turmeric capsules, turmeric tea, and cosmetic products containing turmeric extract.
4. Potential Export Markets
Vietnam’s turmeric powder export market is continuously expanding. Key markets include:
- Asia: China, Bangladesh, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan. Notably, China is the largest importer of ginger, turmeric, and other spices from Vietnam.
- Americas: The United States.
- Europe: European countries, especially after the EVFTA agreement came into effect, which has opened many opportunities for Vietnamese agricultural products, including turmeric.
- Emerging Markets: The Middle East, Africa, and Latin America also hold significant potential due to increasing population, rising incomes, and growing interest in natural and organic products.
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