Dietary fiber: Psyllium

Psyllium is a soluble dietary fiber derived from the seeds of the plant Plantago Ovata, which is grown mostly in the hilly fields of the Gujarat and Rajasthan regions of India. TER Ingredients has summarized for you all the relevant information about the product's market situation and our expectations for the coming months. Read on for exclusive insights!

Selected information about the global Psyllium market

Where is Psyllium used?

Psyllium passes through the small intestine without being completely broken down or absorbed. Because of its excellent water solubility, psyllium can absorb water and become a thick, viscous compound that resists digestion in the small intestine. Thanks to its resistance to digestion, it can help regulate high cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood sugar levels. It may also help with weight control and relieve mild diarrhea and constipation. Unlike other strong sources of dietary fiber, psyllium is usually well tolerated by the body.

In addition, Psyllium seeds are used for:

  • Gluten free bread & bakery products
  • Breakfast cereals
  • Direct consumption with water for increasing fiber intake
  • Encourage gut health by increasing growth of probiotics
  • Slimming Ingredients
  • Noodles
  • Pet food
  • Meat
  • Fish Cake
  • Ice creams
  • Health drinks
  • Capsules
  • API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients)

Which types of Psyllium (conventional or organic) do we offer?

  • Psyllium Seed
  • Psyllium Seed Powder
  • Psyllium Husk all grades                                                        
  • Psyllium Husk Powder all grades

Psyllium market news:

In previous years, 2020 and 2021, the harvest season began with a price increase in Covid-19 cases. This, along with associated closures and ever-changing government and local policies, affected the arrival and transportation of the new crop during the peak arrival months of April and May. The availability of empty containers, labor availability, and many restrictions and ups and downs made the past two years a difficult year for all companies, and the psyllium industry was fully influenced.

Despite high raw material prices, high ocean freight, unavailability of empty containers and various other issues, demand in the Indian domestic and export market remained robust. As a result, the psyllium market remained at high levels and has not really been able to cool down until now.

The price for the new crop in 2022 was already trading at an all-time high when the market had just opened. The carryover from last year's crop was negligible, and this year's crop is also just enough to meet the year's demand. 

The price of psyllium is not expected to decline anytime soon.  The new crop for 2023 will be sown in November/December 2022 and harvested in March 2023. Rainfall has been good so far in all psyllium growing areas, and it is hoped that sowing will be good this year due to the high price of psyllium seeds.

International and domestic demand for psyllium products is growing at an average of 5% per year. Most likely, demand growth will continue in the coming years as psyllium is used in various applications.


About organic Psyllium

Due to the de-accreditation of many control bodies last year, many suppliers aren't able to supply organic psyllium to the EU market. APEDA (The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) has banned many ICES (The Indian Customs EDI System) because some ICES were not located in a region suitable for organic psyllium and other ICES have been banned due to ETO and NICOTIN issues. Very few quantities of psyllium passed all the tests required for getting the mark of “organic” psyllium. About 80% of suppliers could not export organic psyllium because they lost their certification declaring their psyllium as organic. 

There are now a very limited number of control bodies offering EU-compliant certification. There are also significant changes in obtaining approval and COI for the EU. During the transition period, many farmers have also lost their certification status and are therefore unable to offer certified organic products on the market. This has only added to shortage of material availability and has exerted upward pressure on pricing.


If you have any questions, we look forward to hearing from you!

Stefan Koch
Head of BU Life Science

Telefon: +49 40 300 501 8141
E-Mail: s.koch@tergroup.com