Thoothukudi Products Seeks GI Tag

On 16th December 2025, producers from Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district applied for Geographical Indication status for three traditional agricultural products to secure legal protection and boost regional recognition.

Producers of Thoothukudi salt, Authoor Poovan banana and Villiseri lemon have filed applications for the GI tag to protect traditional knowledge, prevent misuse and improve market value for local communities.
Thoothukudi salt is produced using a solar evaporation method, where seawater or sub-soil brine is channelled into salt pans and naturally evaporated under strong sunlight, resulting in large, high-purity white crystals.
The district contributes nearly 30 per cent of India’s total salt production, with around 25,000–30,000 acres of salt pans spread across villages such as Vepalodai, Tharuvaikulam, Muttayapuram and Ottapidaram.
Both edible and industrial-grade salt from Thoothukudi is supplied to households and to chemical, leather, textile dyeing and pharmaceutical industries across the country.