Golden Roots: Boosting Wild Turmeric Production and Potential in Fiji

Turmeric ( Curcuma longa Linn.), a versatile crop with culinary, medicinal, cultural, and economic significance, holds immense potential for Fiji's agricultural sector. Despite the predominance of wild harvesting, Fiji ranks as a key global exporter, supplying high‐demand markets like the USA and New Zealand. This review synthesises current knowledge on turmeric production and markets in Fiji, evaluates its socioeconomic significance, and examines key challenges. Between 2016 and 2025, production increased fivefold, rising from 607.7 Mt to 3755.5 Mt, while the export volume grew from 981.298 t in 2018 to 2970.96 t in 2023. The FAO's One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative has supported the promotion of turmeric in Fiji, emphasising organic production and value‐added products to enhance livelihoods and climate resilience. The findings identify critical constraints and opportunities, providing a foundation to guide research, inform policy, and support strategies that enhance farmer livelihoods and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Key recommendations include farmer education, quality seed propagation, tailored agronomic practices, and market research to capitalise on niche opportunities in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Future policies should enhance sustainable wild‐harvesting and commercial cultivation. Collaborative efforts among government, academia, and the private sector will be critical to unlocking the potential of this “golden spice.”