Ginger market in Bangladesh

Earlier Report Observations

The ginger market in Bangladesh remained heavily reliant on imports throughout the period, with local production insufficient to meet demand. In 2018, market volume stood at 191.1 thousand tons, supported by high import levels. Government agencies, including the Agricultural Extension Department, initiated programs to promote sack farming and climate-smart technologies to strengthen domestic cultivation.

Market volume peaked at 240.9 thousand tons in 2021 due to record imports, but then fell sharply to 181.4 thousand tons in 2022 and further to 154.2 thousand tons in 2023. This decline was primarily driven by reduced ginger imports from India, particularly through the Hili land port, which constrained supply and pushed prices higher.

In response to supply shortages and price volatility, state-owned Trading Corporation of Bangladesh intensified market monitoring and price control measures. Simultaneously, the adoption of sack farming and improved ginger varieties expanded, aiming to lower production costs and increase yields, thereby reducing import dependency over the long term.

Production ginger in Bangladesh

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Bangladesh ranked as the world's seventh-largest producer of ginger.

Top producers of ginger, 2017-2020

World map of production of ginger, 2017-2020

Ginger production in Bangladesh grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 84 887 tonnes of ginger, marking a 5.8% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 9.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports ginger from Bangladesh

Exports in kind, K t

The market experienced volatility during this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 0.1 thousand tonnes, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 9.3 times. In 2020, ginger exports from Bangladesh fell to 0.0 thousand tonnes, a sharp 77.3% drop compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a surge of 826.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom were the top destinations for ginger exports in volume terms. Singapore accounted for 54.0% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 14.2%, and the United Kingdom for 8.0%, together making up 76.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, ginger exports from Bangladesh in value terms declined. In 2020, exports totaled 26 thousand US dollars, a significant 47.1% decrease from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 49 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 42.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bangladesh in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017–2020, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia were the key partners for ginger exports in value terms. Malaysia represented 25.9% of exports, the United Kingdom 18.0%, and Saudi Arabia 16.5%, collectively accounting for 60.5% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Bangladesh in value, 2017-2020

Imports ginger to Bangladesh

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, ginger imports into Bangladesh rebounded. In 2020, imports reached approximately 133.1 thousand tonnes, a 26.6% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 13.5%, averaging an annual rate of 4.3%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 105.1 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 5.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, China, India, and Myanmar dominated Bangladesh's ginger imports in volume terms. China contributed 39.1% of imports, India 32.8%, and Myanmar 18.3%, together representing 90.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decrease, ginger imports into Bangladesh in value terms rose. In 2020, import value stood at 85 008 thousand US dollars, up 18.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 13.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 71 494 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that year at 23.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bangladesh in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China, India, and Myanmar were the primary sources for ginger imports in value terms. China accounted for 44.4% of imports, India for 31.1%, and Myanmar for 14.3%, collectively making up 89.9% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Bangladesh in value, 2017-2020