Turmeric: Hopes for price drop turn sour

Despite repeated assurances from the Government that the price of turmeric would drop from January this year with local farmers sending their harvest to the market, the price remains high, consumers complain.

They say a 100-gram pack of turmeric powder is being sold at Rs 450 or more just as the case had been during the height of the demand following the imposition of the import ban in December 2019.

The Department of Export Agriculture (DEA) which had repeatedly reassured consumers of a price drop in January 2021 now says the yield is not sufficient to bring down the price.

DEA Director Upul Ranaweera said the local production was enough only to meet 45 percent of the country's requirement and as such no price ceiling could be imposed.

He said the harvest produced only 30,000 metric tonnes of raw turmeric and with 5,000 metric tonnes set aside for seedlings for cultivation this year, only 25,000 metric tonnes was available for processing before they were sold to the public. When this amount was dried and cured, only about 3,500 metric tonnes of turmeric powder could be made. For every seven kilograms of raw turmeric, one kilogram of dried turmeric can be obtained.

“We need at least 7,500 metric tonnes of dried turmeric every year to cater to the country’s demand,” he said.

However, he said the DEA was optimistic that the required harvest of 60,000 metric tonnes could be achieved next year. “We will impose a price ceiling then,” he said.

Meanwhile, the smuggling of turmeric continues via the Colombo Port and the Northern and North Western seas.

Last month, Customs detectives busted an attempt to smuggle in turmeric rhizome along with other goods in two containers. Customs spokesperson Sudatta Silva said the importers would be requested to re-export the stocks to the country of origin.

However, several container loads of turmeric forfeited in 2020 still remain in the Customs yards, the Sunday Times learns.

Exporters have abandoned their consignments and have refused to re-export the stocks as it was a costly exercise.

Despite the Sri Lanka Navy keeping a strict vigil in the country’s Northern and Northwestern seas, turmeric is being smuggled into country in fishing vessels from India.

Last month two dhows loaded with 2,790 kilos of dried turmeric were detected in the North-western waters.

In March, two suspects were caught with 349 kilograms of dried turmeric in the Thalai Mannar seas.

Also in two separate incidents in the same month, 2,209 kilograms of turmeric were sized in Manalkulam and Silawathurai.

The Customs said the seized turmeric would not be released to the market, as it was the Government policy of achieving self-sufficiency in turmeric production.

DEA Director Upul Ranaweera said the local production was enough only to meet 45 percent of the country's requirement and as such no price ceiling could be imposed