Ginger market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The domestic ginger market in Eastern Asia saw its volume decline from 221.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 208.8 thousand tons in 2020. During this period, production faced challenges from weather conditions affecting yield and quality, while exports remained high. The adoption of mechanized planting and harvesting equipment in key regions like Anqiu improved production efficiency and supported export activities, including new market access to countries like New Zealand.

From 2021, the market volume expanded sharply, reaching 447.1 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was primarily driven by a significant drop in exports, which fell from 454.3 thousand tons in 2021 to 266.2 thousand tons in 2023. High domestic ginger prices made Chinese exports less competitive, leading buyers in regions such as the Middle East to shift orders to lower-cost producers in India, Thailand, and Vietnam. Simultaneously, domestic ginger planting area and production increased by an estimated 30%-50% by 2023, creating ample supply for the home market.

In response to these shifts, the industry focused on product diversification and value-added processing. Innovations included the development of functional products like antioxidant ginger tea and health supplements, as well as advanced processing techniques such as supercritical extraction. The expansion of e-commerce channels and the adoption of soilless cultivation methods also contributed to improved product quality and broader consumer access within the domestic market.

Production ginger in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of ginger, 2017-2020

World map of production of ginger, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, ginger production in Eastern Asia experienced a decline. In 2019, production reached its peak at 671.5 thousand tonnes, but by 2020, it had fallen to 654.4 thousand tonnes, representing a slight decrease of 2.5% compared to the previous year. The most significant annual increase occurred in 2018, with production rising by 4.9%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.1%.

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

Exports ginger from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of growth, ginger export volumes from Eastern Asia declined. In 2019, exports peaked at 525.5 thousand tonnes, with that year also seeing the largest annual increase of 9.6%. However, by 2020, exports had dropped to 495.5 thousand tonnes, marking a modest decline of 5.7% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 11.9%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, ginger exports from Eastern Asia were distributed across a wide range of markets, with no single country dominating. The top three destinations—the United States (11.8% of export volumes), the Netherlands (11.7%), and Pakistan (11.5%)—collectively accounted for only 35.0% of total exports, indicating a diverse and balanced market structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Ginger export values from Eastern Asia increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 719.0 million US dollars, reflecting a significant rise of 25.6% compared to 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 67.6%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 18.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the value-based export structure for ginger from Eastern Asia was balanced rather than concentrated. The Netherlands (14.2% of export value), the United States (12.0%), and Pakistan (9.4%) together represented 35.6% of total flows, while the remaining 64.4% was distributed among numerous other countries, highlighting a diversified partner landscape.

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

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

Imports ginger to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year uptick, ginger import volumes into Eastern Asia declined. In 2019, imports reached their highest point at 63.6 thousand tonnes, with that year also recording the largest annual increase of 12.5%. By 2020, imports had fallen to 50.0 thousand tonnes, equivalent to a decrease of 21.4% compared to the previous year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 11.1%, corresponding to an average annual decline of 3.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for ginger imports into Eastern Asia were Thailand (18.6% of import volumes), Asia, not elsewhere specified (3.0%), and Nigeria (0.9%). Together, these three markets formed a cluster accounting for 22.5% of total import flows, with the remainder spread across various other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign ginger supplies to Eastern Asia increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value totaled 123.4 million US dollars, showing a modest uptick of 4.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 17.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, there was no single dominant market for ginger imports into Eastern Asia in value terms. Thailand (15.3% of import value), Asia, not elsewhere specified (6.2%), and Laos (1.7%) together accounted for only 23.2% of total imports. The majority of imports, 76.8%, were sourced from many smaller partners, each contributing modest individual shares.

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

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