Origins & marketsData reference
Indian Spice Growing Regions: A Sourcing Map
A sourced map of where India's key export spices trade, from Unjha cumin to Guntur chilli and Erode turmeric.
Region to spice map (verified)
The table links each major hub to the spice and market role it is known for. These are the reference markets buyers name when contracting.
| Region | Spice | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Unjha, Gujarat | Cumin (and seed spices) | Asia's largest seed-spice market; ~70% of India's cumin |
| Guntur, Andhra Pradesh | Red chilli | Asia's largest chilli market; sets world price; home of Sannam S4 |
| Kochi, Kerala | Black pepper & cardamom | Historic auction benchmark |
| Erode, Tamil Nadu | Turmeric | Turmeric City; GI Erode Manjal |
| Nizamabad, Telangana | Turmeric (bulb) | High-volume bulb turmeric |
| Sangli, Maharashtra | Turmeric | Major turmeric market |
| Kashmir | Saffron | Kashmir Saffron GI; among the highest crocin |
How to use the map
- Name the region and grade in a contract, not just the spice, because specs vary sharply by origin (turmeric curcumin ranges 1.5% bulb to 6% finger).
- Seed spices concentrate at Unjha; chilli at Guntur; pepper and cardamom at Kochi; turmeric across Erode, Nizamabad and Sangli.
- Kashmir Saffron and the GI turmerics (Erode, Sangli, Waigaon, Kandhamal) carry Geographical Indication status; verify GI validity before claiming it.
Frequently asked
Where is turmeric grown in India for export?
Chiefly Erode (Tamil Nadu, GI Erode Manjal), Nizamabad (Telangana, high-volume bulb) and Sangli (Maharashtra). Curcumin runs from about 1.5% in bulb types to 4-6% in finger.
Sourcing this? Tell us the spice, grade and destination and we return a documented offer — vetted supply, QC oversight, and the test dossier your market needs.
Start a sourcing enquiry →What this page does not tell you
- District-level acreage and yields
- Per-district planted area and yield figures are not in our sourced dataset.
- Exhaustive region list
- This is the set of headline hubs; smaller producing pockets are not enumerated here.
Reviewed 16 July 2026.
Sources
- Spices Board of India — Export statistics· Tier 1, retrieved 2026-07-16