Ginger market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the ginger market volume in Eastern Africa expanded from 15 511 tons to 21 037 tons. This growth was primarily driven by government initiatives to build modern processing factories, such as the 10-ton-per-day plant in Same District, and the entry of new foreign buyers like Akida Group, which purchased organic ginger for export. These developments increased demand for raw ginger and encouraged domestic production, which rose from 15 100 tons to 19 113 tons over the same period.

After peaking in 2021, the market volume declined to 20 101 tons in 2022 and further to 15 302 tons in 2023. This contraction coincided with a sharp rise in exports, which reached 3 831 tons in 2023, as new processing facilities came online and export-oriented firms like Kilimanjaro Flavours scaled their operations. At the same time, imports fell significantly from 4 323 tons in 2021 to 1 256 tons in 2023, reducing domestic availability. Regulatory calls for stricter control of middlemen aimed to protect farmer prices, but the market shifted toward serving external demand.

In 2024, ginger exports remained high at 3 199 tons, supported by the entry of Kenyan firms into regional trade agreements. The trend toward organic cultivation, with approximately 90% of ginger grown organically, reflected changing consumer preferences and labeling requirements. Continued purchases by Akida Group and ongoing government announcements for subsidized inputs highlighted efforts to stabilize farmer incomes amid price volatility.

Production ginger in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of ginger, 2017-2020

World map of production of ginger, 2017-2020

Ginger production in Eastern Africa has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 18,244 tonnes of ginger, marking a 16.9% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 19.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 15,100 tonnes, with the largest decline that year being 0.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports ginger from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The export market for ginger from Eastern Africa showed an unstable trend over the observed period. The lowest export volume was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2020, with a 9.7-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported 1,101 tonnes of ginger, representing a sharp increase of 334.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 50.2%, while the biggest increase happened in 2018 with a jump of 345.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, ginger exports from Eastern Africa reached a diverse range of markets. The top destinations included South Africa, accounting for 5.6% of exports in volume, France at 4.8%, and Germany at 3.3%. Together, these three countries made up only 13.6% of total exports, with the remaining 86.4% spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms was characterized by volatility during these years. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2020, showing a 4.5-fold increase over that period. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported ginger worth 2,513 thousand US dollars, a sharp gain of 142.2% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 58.1%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 with a rise of 338.7%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 shows that ginger exports from Eastern Africa in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Germany accounted for 21.9% of export value, France for 21.0%, and South Africa for 7.0%. Combined, these three destinations represented only 49.9% of total export flows, indicating a broad distribution across other partners.

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

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

Imports ginger to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

The import market for ginger in Eastern Africa displayed volatility over the observed period. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 919 tonnes, while the peak was in 2020, resulting in a 3.4-fold difference. In 2020, imports amounted to 3,147 tonnes, a strong increase of 59.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 32.1%, and the biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a jump of 115.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Data from 2017 to 2020 indicates that ginger imports to Eastern Africa in volume terms were not concentrated on a few key sources. China accounted for 6.7% of imports, Nigeria for 5.0%, and the United Arab Emirates for 3.5%. Together, these three suppliers made up only 15.2% of total import flows, with the rest coming from a variety of other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Ginger imports to Eastern Africa in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 5,009 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep gain of 66.9% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 113.6%, which equates to an average annual growth rate of 28.8%.

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

During the period from 2017 to 2020, China was the leading supplier of ginger to Eastern Africa in value terms, accounting for 12.7% of imports. The United Arab Emirates followed with 6.3%, and South Africa with 6.2%. However, their combined share reached only 25.1% of total imports, with the remaining 74.9% distributed among many other trading partners.

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

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