Ginger: Peru faces export challenges

Lower prices despite higher export volumes

Fresh Fruit Perú, the information division of the Peruvian consultancy Preciso Consultoría specialising in agricultural and export markets, forecasts Peruvian ginger exports of 61,543 mt worth USD 101 million for 2026. This represents a projected 5% increase in volume compared with last year, while the value is expected to fall by 5%. The average export price is expected to fall from USD 1.81 to USD 1.64/kg.

From January to September, 43,328 mt worth USD 72 million were exported. This represented a 10% increase in volume but a 3% decrease in revenue compared with the same period last year. The average price declined by 12% to USD 1.67/kg. Following a strong first half of the year with a 26% increase in volume, exports fell by 9% to 16,246 mt in the third quarter of 2026. The value of exports decreased by 12% to USD 26.3 million during this period.

Fresh ginger accounted for 77% of the total export value up to September, at 37,704 mt. The price fell from USD 1.69 to USD 1.48/kg. Ginger juice generated USD 8.1 million, 14% less than last year. Dehydrated and powdered ginger, by contrast, increased in value by 4% to USD 5.5 million; prices were twice as high as for fresh ginger.

China and EU regulations are putting pressure on the market

From March to May, Chinese shipments to Europe more than doubled compared with last year. Chinese ginger is now being sold at prices almost half those of 2025. Brazil is also under pressure, with prices there falling below production costs. Since April, the EU has required certification confirming that the rhizomes must be free from the bacterium Ralstonia. As a result, Peru lost market share in Europe. In July, the Peruvian authorities approved transitional measures to facilitate certification for growers and processors. At the same time, traceability was improved and the number of authorised exporters was reduced.

The volumes intended for Europe, which were no longer shipped there, were diverted to the US. There, the additional supply also put downward pressure on prices. From January to September, the US imported 24,548 mt, 16% more than last year, while the import value fell by 4% to USD 41 million. The Netherlands imported 8,276 mt, 6% less than in the same period last year; the value of its imports decreased by 12% to USD 13 million. Canada increased its import volume by 77%. In the UK, the value of imports rose from USD 0.5 million to USD 1.3 million.

For Q4, Fresh Fruit Perú expects the situation in North America to ease. Demand has strengthened since October and is likely to remain high until February due to the festive season and the winter season. To avoid over-reliance on the US market, the full restoration of market access to the EU is crucial for Peru. Furthermore, planting plans for 2027 point to lower volumes and better prices in the coming season.

A new opportunity for India

Meanwhile, ginger growers in the Indian district of Karbi Anglong in the state of Assam are exploring access to European markets via Slovenia, as reported by the Assam Tribune. According to the report, the Slovenian Ambassador to India, Tomaz Mencin, aims to foster contacts between the regional ginger industry, Slovenian businesses and European distribution networks.

The region grows more than 30,000 mt of ginger annually, with around 10,000 farmers dependent on its cultivation. The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) is working with authorities, investors and international representatives to expand export opportunities for ginger and processed products.

Nigeria supports the recovery of ginger cultivation

In Nigeria’s Kaduna State, ginger growers are reporting better crops following support from the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), as reported by the news portal PUNCH. The programme supports around 3,400 growers across 15 clusters with planting material and extension services. Part of the crop is to be used for or tissue culture propagation.

According to BOA Managing Director Ayodeji Sotinrin, the ginger sector has recovered to around 30% of its former capacity. The bank plans to set up ginger nurseries in 16 states and is providing agricultural loans at an interest rate of 9%. Sotinrin expects Nigeria’s ginger crop to reach 3 million mt within five years. The economic value would then amount to around USD 3 billion. Farmers could earn between 70 and 80 million naira (approx. USD 47,000 to 54,000) per hectare. The programme stipulates a woman quota of at least 50% and also includes more than 900 internally displaced farmers within Nigeria.

Ghana increasingly turning to ginger imports

Outbreaks of disease and limited domestic production have been driving up ginger prices in Ghana for almost three years. Traders are therefore increasingly sourcing produce from China and Morocco. Demand from food and drink manufacturers, as well as exports to neighbouring countries, are further restricting local supply, according to Modern Ghana. Trader Akua Stella says the price per sack had previously reached up to 8,000 cedi (USD 688) before falling. A bag currently costs between 4,500 and 5,500 cedi (USD 387-473). The higher price level is dampening consumer purchases and weighing on traders’ sales.

Although no new outbreaks of disease have been reported this year, insufficient quantities of the new crop have reached the market so far. Demand from Togolese buyers and crop problems in Côte d'Ivoire are also limiting regional supply. Traders are calling for government support to revitalise domestic cultivation, improve supply and reduce dependence on imports.

EU imports continue to rise

EU ginger imports since the start of the year have risen by 9.3% and totalled 7,567 mt, worth just over 22.97 million EUR, for the period 1 January to 25 October 2026. China remains by far the most important supplier, having increased its shipments by just under 18% year-on-year to 5,139 mt. It is followed by India (+42.8% to 987 mt), Vietnam (+2.9% to 541 mt) and Côte d'Ivoire (-2.4% to 284 mt).

The largest buyer within the EU during the period in question was Germany, with 2,890 mt and an increase of 37.6%. Second and third place were taken by the Netherlands (-7.4% to 2,120 mt) and Belgium (+6.1% to 1,030 mt). The average import price, at EUR 3.04/kg, was just over 4 % lower than the EUR 3.17/kg recorded in the previous year.

View more
- price charts