Turmeric to lead the way in developing Thai herbal industry

A proposed plan to elevate Thailand’s herbal industry to the international level and develop the health economy and medical services was approved on Monday (December 16) at a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Chantraruangthong in his role as chairman of the National Herbal Policy Committee.

Six key ministries, namely Public Health, Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Cooperatives, Interior and Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, will implement the integrated programme, he added.

The primary goal is to develop the herbal industry throughout the entire value chain, including cultivation and management, research and innovation, processing, value-adding, marketing promotion, and establishing Thai herbal branding in the global market.

The “Herb of the Year” initiative for 2025–2027 focuses on promoting turmeric as a flagship herb. Relevant agencies will collaborate to enhance the value of turmeric products, such as medicines, cosmetics, dietary supplements, and exports, to generate significant economic impact.

Dr Somruek Chungsaman, director-general of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, explained that turmeric was chosen as the highlight herb due to its high global market potential. According to Transparency Market Research, the global turmeric market value is projected to increase from 7.83 billion baht in 2024 to 28.85 billion baht in 2034, with an annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.9%.

In Thailand, the turmeric market is valued at 262.24 million baht in 2024, accounting for 3.3% of the global market. It is expected to grow to 770.14 million baht by 2034, particularly in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, which are witnessing continuous growth.

The plan for advancing turmeric focuses on four key strategies:

• Developing varieties and safe production: Enhancing Thai-specific turmeric varieties and promoting safe cultivation practices
• Diverse applications: Supporting the use of turmeric in cosmetics, medicine, food, and dietary supplements while facilitating product registration to expand markets
• Continuous research and development: Setting clear research directions for sustainable development and building research networks
• Creating a positive image – Promoting the benefits and properties of turmeric to build public and market confidence.

In the first year of the plan, priority will be given to registering turmeric-based products, developing marketing channels domestically and internationally, adding value to local herbs, and supporting comprehensive industrial development.